Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexplained death of an infant younger than one year old. Some people call SIDS "crib death" because many babies who die of SIDS are found in their cribs.

SIDS is the leading cause of death in children between one month and one year old. Most SIDS deaths occur when babies are between one month and four months old. Premature babies, boys, African Americans, and American Indian/Alaska Native infants have a higher risk of SIDS.

Although the cause of SIDS is unknown, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk. These include:

• Placing your baby on his or her back to sleep, even for short naps. "Tummy time" is for when babies are awake and someone is watching
• Having your baby sleep in your room for at least the first six months. Your baby should sleep close to you, but on a separate surface designed for infants, such as a crib or bassinet.
• Using a firm sleep surface, such as a crib mattress covered with a fitted sheet
• Keeping soft objects and loose bedding away from your baby's sleep area
• Breastfeeding your baby
• Making sure that your baby doesn't get too hot. Keep the room at a comfortable temperature for an adult.
• Not smoking during pregnancy or allowing anyone to smoke near your baby

NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Questions for your care team

General prompts to help prepare for your appointment.

• How does this information apply to my situation?
• Which symptoms or results need evaluation?
• Which tests are useful, and what can they tell us?
• What care options, benefits, and risks should we discuss?
• When should I seek urgent help, and whom should I call?
• When is follow-up, and how will we know whether the plan is working?