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Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Program

For More Information Call Family Health Programs: Toll Free (888) 598-0728

Parents, Grandparents, and Caregivers

Reduce Risk

What you can do to reduce your baby’s risk of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of death:

  • Always place your baby on their back to sleep for naps and at night. 
  • Breastfeed your baby.
  • Do not smoke or allow others to smoke around you while you are pregnant. 
  • Do not smoke or allow others to smoke around your baby. 
  • Consider giving your baby a pacifier at sleep time. Be sure not to attach the pacifier to string, clothing, toys, or blankets.
  • Share your room with your baby for the first 6 month to year. Be sure that your baby is close to your bed, but on an appropriate sleep surface designed for infants. 
  • ONLY use a sitting device for its intended purpose (see below for more information):
  • Create a safe sleep environment: Ways to Reduce the Risk of SIDS and Other Sleep-related Causes of Infant Death

When speaking to anyone who takes care of your baby, including grandparents, babysitters and childcare providers, older siblings, and others:

  • Be very specific that you want your baby placed on their “back to sleep”.
  • Put your instructions in writing and give it to your childcare providers.
  • If you have in-home childcare, post sleep instructions over your baby’s crib.
  • Be sure that your childcare providers understand current safe sleep guidelines. See informational brochures below. 
  • Refer childcare providers to this or other reputable websites for more information about reducing the risk of SIDS.
  • Be sure to share informational brochures and videos with anyone who will be caring for your infant.

Informational Brochures

Sitting and Carrying Devices

  • Sitting and carrying devices (such as car safety seats, strollers, infant seats, bouncers, and swings) were designed primarily for the transporting, feeding, and play of infants and young children.
  • Approximately 3% of SIDS deaths occurs in sitting devices.
  • Infant deaths in sitting devices are more likely to occur while in supervision of a childcare provider or babysitter compared with a parent.
  • Use sitting devices for their intended purpose only and not as sleeping surfaces. 
  • Infant Deaths in Sitting Devices

Creating a Safe Sleep Environment

A crib, bassinet, or portable crib, with a firm flat mattress that follows the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is recommended.

Click here for information on crib safety or contact the CPSC at 1-800-638-2772.

The images below shows a safe infant sleep environment:

     
 
What is a safe sleep environment like?


Try out the Interactive Safe Sleep Environment Tool and learn how you can help reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of infant death.

Safe Sleep Videos