How can I prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)?
• Answer: The good news is that there are ways to dramatically reduce your baby’s risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep for naps and at night. You should also place your baby on a firm sleep surface and keep soft objects, toys, and loose bedding out of your baby’s sleep area. Another no-no is smoking around a newborn. While SIDS remains the leading cause of death for infants 1 month to 1 year of age, claiming the lives of approximately 2,000 babies in the U.S. each year, the National Center for Health Statistics has reported a more than 50% drop in SIDS death rates and a decrease in stomach sleeping from 70% to 15%. This is the equivalent of saving more than 3,500 American babies each year.
• Answer: While SIDS remains the leading cause of death for infants 1 month to 1 year of age, claiming the lives of approximately 2,000 babies in the U.S. each year, the good news is that there are ways to dramatically reduce your baby’s risk. Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep for naps and at night. You should also place your baby on a firm sleep surface and keep soft objects, toys, and loose bedding out of your baby’s sleep area. Another no-no is smoking around a newborn. The National Center for Health Statistics has reported a more than 50% drop in SIDS death rates and a decrease in stomach sleeping from 70% to 15%. This is the equivalent of saving more than 3,500 American babies each year.
