What puts my baby at risk of sudden infant death syndrome?
Although the cause of SIDS is not yet clearly known, certain factors are believed to increase its risk. It happens mostly to baby boys, 2 weeks to 6 months of age, born premature, and with low birth weights. Your baby may also be at a higher risk of SIDS with one or more of the following: • Sleeping in a prone (face down or lying on stomach) position. • Being around people who smoke or having a mother who smoked during or after pregnancy. • Sleeping on fluffy or soft bedding. • Overheating or overwrapping with too much clothing. • Sharing his bed with others. • Poor or no prenatal care. Prenatal care is the regular healthcare visits made throughout pregnancy. What can I do to prevent sudden infant death syndrome? There are no exact ways to prevent SIDS from happening. Some things may be done to decrease your baby’s risk of having SIDS. The following are ways that may help protect your baby from SIDS: • Sleep on his back: Place your baby on his back every time he sleeps, this includes n
