SIDS by Baby’s Age Infographic (Text Alternative) | Safe to Sleep® (2024)

FAQs

What is the safe to sleep campaign for SIDS? ›

The Safe to Sleep campaign, formerly known as the Back to Sleep campaign, is an initiative backed by the US National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) at the US National Institutes of Health to encourage parents to have their infants sleep on their backs (supine position) to reduce the risk of ...

SIDS is less common after 8 months of age, but parents and caregivers should continue to follow safe sleep practices to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of infant death until baby's first birthday. More than 90% of all SIDS deaths occur before 6 months of age.

place your baby on their back to sleep, in the same room as you, for the first 6 months. keep your baby's head uncovered – their blanket should be tucked in no higher than their shoulders. if wearing your baby in a sling or carrier, do not cover their head with the sling material or with a muslin.

Place babies on their backs to sleep for naps and at night.

It is not safe to place babies on their sides or stomachs to sleep, not even for a nap. The safest sleep position is on the back. Babies who sleep on their backs are at lower risk for SIDS than babies who sleep on their stomachs or sides.

The safest place

It aims to show parents and carers the simplest way to create a safe sleep space for their baby that will help to protect their vulnerable airway, and reduce the risk of SIDS and accidents. The lullaby trust advises that “babies' airways are vulnerable, particularly in the first few months of life.

Even though the thought can be deeply unsettling, experts agree that there aren't any warning signs for SIDS. And since SIDS isn't diagnosed until after an infant has died and the death has been investigated, you can't catch SIDS while it's happening and stop it, for instance, by performing CPR.

SIDS has no symptoms or warning signs. Babies who die of SIDS seem healthy before being put to bed. They show no signs of struggle and are often found in the same position as when they were placed in the bed.

If possible, the family needs to understand that SIDS deaths occur and there's no way to either predict these deaths or prevent them. Further, they need to understand that the baby is beyond medical care and attempting resuscitation measures won't bring back their child.

After 6-months old, babies are typically able to lift their heads, roll over, or wake up more easily, and the risk of SIDS decreases dramatically. However, 10% of SIDS happens between 6 and 12 months of age and safe sleep recommendations should be followed up to a baby first birthday.

What is the single most significant risk factor for SIDS? ›

Sleep position:

Babies placed to sleep on their stomachs or sides are at higher risk for SIDS. Babies who are used to sleeping on their backs but who are placed on their stomachs or sides for sleep, like for a nap, are at very high risk of SIDS.

Conclusions: SIDS can happen at any time of the day and relatively quickly. Parents need to be made aware that placing infants supine and keeping them under supervision is equally important for day-time sleeps.

SIDS stands for sudden infant death syndrome. SIDS is the sudden and unexplained death of an infant between the ages of 1 month and 1 year old that doesn't have a known cause, even after a complete investigation.

It may be because babies don't sleep as deeply when they have a pacifier, which helps wake them up if they're having trouble breathing. A pacifier also keeps the tongue forward in the mouth, so it can't block the airway.

Why Does SIDS Peak at 2-4 Months? The widely accepted explanation for the SIDS peak has to do with the timeline of brain development. “Up to 4 months old, the part of the brain that controls breathing and wakefulness is under a lot of development,” Juliet explains.

The Safe Sleep campaign reminds parents and caregivers to put infants to sleep on their backs and provide a safe sleep environment. Here's how parents can help reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths: Get early and regular prenatal care.

Keep your baby's sleep area (for example, a crib or bassinet) in the same room where you sleep, ideally until your baby is at least 6 months old. Keep soft bedding such as blankets, pillows, bumper pads, and soft toys out of your baby's sleep area. Do not cover your baby's head or allow your baby to get too hot.

SIDS and Kids Safe Sleeping is an evidence based health promotion campaign developed for health professionals, childcare workers, parents and anyone who cares for babies to inform them about the evidence around SIDS risk reduction and sleep accidents.

The new recommendations reinforce exclusive use of the back sleep position for every sleep, a firm sleep surface with no loose bedding or blankets, and a separate sleep area for baby. The recommendations also warn against letting baby get too warm during sleep and suggest that using a pacifier can reduce SIDS risk.