SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME (SIDS)

CONTENT What is SIDS 10 Steps to Promote Infant Sleep Safety When can I put My Baby on their Tummy Other Things To Do To Reduce Risk of SIDS

WHAT IS SIDS 1. SIDS, sometimes known as crib death, strikes nearly 2,500 babies in the United States every year.

2. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS is the sudden and unexplained death of an infant under one (1) year of age. a. The death is sudden and unpredictable, usually occurring during sleep. b. In most cases, the baby seems healthy.

3. Most SIDS deaths occur when a baby is between 2 and 3 months old and can occur anytime of the year.

4. More boys than girls are victims of SIDS.

5. SIDS occurs more often among African American babies than white babies but can occur in any family.

6. Doctors and nurses do not know what causes SIDS, but they have found some things you can do to make your baby safer.

Back To Sleep 1 10 STEPS TO HELP PREVENT SIDS 1. Place your baby on his/her back to sleep—for naps, at night, anytime. (see picture on page 4) a. Do not place them on their tummy or side—the risk of SIDS is very high in these positions b. Tell anyone who is caring for you baby how important it is to lay your baby on his/her back to sleep every time c. Once your baby can roll over both ways, which usually happens around 6 months, he/she may not stay on his back—that’s OK. It’s fine to let him/her choose their own sleep position once they know how to roll over d. Remember, before then: "stomach to play, back to sleep" for baby's healthy development and to lower the risk of SIDS.

2. Keep your sleeping baby in a crib or bassinet near the parent’s bed. a. Keep your baby’s crib or bassinet in your room; this has been related linked with a lower risk of SIDS b. Do not use bumper pads or sleep position wedges c. Do not allow your baby to sleep with you or another child in the same bed, in an armchair or on a couch d. Bring your baby into your bed for nursing or comforting, but return themto their own crib or bassinet when they are read to sleep e. Do not bring the baby to bed with you when you’re very tired or using medicines that affects your sleep.

3. Use a firm mattress with a fitted sheet the right size for the mattress. a. Do not put fluffy blankets, sheepskin, quilts/comforters, stuffed toys, pillows or other soft surfaces in the crib with your baby—Do not use a waterbed b. Some babies have smothered or suffocated with these soft materials in the crib.

4. Do Not smoke around your baby—Do Not allow anyone else smoke around your baby. a. Create a smoke-free zone around your baby b. Do not expose your baby to secondhand smoke. Exposure to secondhand smoke doubles a baby's risk of SIDS c. Do not smoke while you are pregnant. Babies of mothers who smoked during their pregnancy are three times more likely to die of SIDS than those whose mothers were smoke-free.

5. Consider using a pacifier when putting your baby to sleep. a. Putting your baby to sleep with a pacifier may help prevent SIDS

Back To Sleep 2 b. Don’t force your baby to take the pacifier if he/she doesn’t want it c. Put the pacifier in your baby’s mouth when you put him/her down to sleep but do not put it back in their mouth after they fall asleep and the pacifier falls out d. Do not coat the pacifier with honey, sugar water or any other substance.

6. Keep your baby from overheating. a. Make sure the baby's room is in the safe temperature range of 68°F to 75°F b. Dress your baby in light, comfortable clothing for sleep. If you think your baby may not stay warm enough, dress him/her in a “onesie” pajama that cover their arms, legs, hands and feet c. Cover the baby only with a light blanket that reaches no further than the baby’s armpits d. Some research suggests that a baby who gets too warm could go into a deeper sleep, making it more difficult to awaken e. Keep the baby’s crib away from the heat vent f. Using a thermometer in the baby's room can help.

7. Breastfeed as long as you can. a. Breastfeeding your baby may help lower the risk of SIDS b. Some research indicates breast milk may protect your baby from infections that increase the risk of SIDS c. Do Not drink alcohol during a pregnancy and/or if you are breastfeeding as this may increase your baby’s risk of SIDS.

8. Immunize your baby. a. Research evidence shows babies who receive their immunizations, in accordance with recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and CDC, have a 50% reduced risk of SIDS.

9. Do Not give honey to your baby under the age of 1 year old. a. Honey can lead to a bacterial infection called “botulism.” b. “Botulism” and the bacteria that causes it may be linked to an increase risk of SIDS.

10. Avoid buying products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS—Most of these products have not been proved safe or effective. a. Follow the step above to reduce the risk of SIDS.

REMEMBER: Your baby’s doctor is always avaialbe to anser any quesjtions you have about SIDS prevention and keeping your baby warm, happy and safe.

Back To Sleep 3 The safest place for a baby to sleep is in a crib on his or her back. While the exact cause of SIDS is not entirely clear, we know that a safe sleep environment can greatly reduce the risk of SIDS. Parents and others who care for babies can also help to prevent the tragedy of accidental deaths among sleeping infants by adopting safe sleep practices.

Keep room temperature 680—750 F

Remove toys, stuffed animals and pillows Place baby at foot of crib when baby sleeps Use a light blanket that reaches no higher than baby’s armpits Keep baby’s face and head Use a firm uncovered mattress with Tuck blanket in along the tight fitting sheet sides and foot

Keep baby from overheating Do not use wedges or Dress baby in layers bumper pads that can be easily removed

WHEN CAN I PUT MY BABY ON THEIR TUMMY 1. Your baby can be placed on his or her stomach (tummy) when awake.

2. Some “tummy time” while your baby is awake is good for him or her.

3. “Tummy time” allows your baby to explore and to have a variety of movements and positions.

Back To Sleep 4 OTHER THINGS TO DO TO REDUCE RISK OF SIDS

Doctor or Clinic Visits 1. Make sure your baby has regular well-baby checkups.

2. If your baby seems sick, call your doctor or clinic right away.

3. Make sure your baby gets his or her immunizations (shots) on schedule.

Prenatal Care 1. Receive early and regular prenatal care.

2. Early and regular prenatal care can also help reduce the risk of SIDS.

3. Do not smoke, drink, or use drugs while pregnant. The risk of SIDS is higher for babies whose mother smoked or used drugs or alcohol during her pregnancy.

Reviewed/Revised: 02/06…..06/13

Back To Sleep 5