Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Recommendations to reduce the risk of suffocation and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Approximately 80% of all infant deaths in NYC due to injury are considered sleep-related, or related to the infant’s sleep position and environment.
The number of infant deaths from a sleep-related injury in NYC has not changed significantly in the past several years -- every year, on average, 48 infants die from a sleep-related injury.
The following recommendations to reduce the risk of a sleep-related death have been adapted from the American Academy of Pediatrics:
- Always place your baby to sleep on his/her back for every sleep (naptime and bedtime)
- Your baby should be placed entirely on his/her back; side sleeping is not recommended
- Every day, provide supervised, awake tummy time for your baby. Tummy time helps promote muscle development and coordination
- Note that once your infant can roll from back to stomach and from stomach to back (usually around 4 to 6 months), he/she can remain in the sleep position that he/she assumes
- Use a firm crib mattress and tightly fitted sheet specifically designed for your crib
- Your baby should sleep in a crib, bassinet, portable crib or play yard that has been approved by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Never put your baby to sleep on an adult bed, bouncy seat, infant swing, car safety seat, sofa, couch, futon, waterbed, sheepskin, or other soft mattress — not even for a nap
- Nothing but your baby should be in the crib
- No pillows, blankets, bumpers or other soft objects should be in the crib
- Never sleep in the same bed, sofa or other surface as your baby (sometimes referred to as bed-sharing)
- Sleeping in the same room as your baby (sometimes referred to as room-sharing) is recommended
- Place the crib or bassinet near your bed to make it easier to feed, bond with and monitor your baby
- Breastfeeding mothers should place their baby back into the crib before going to sleep
- Avoid smoke exposure and alcohol and illicit drug use during pregnancy and after birth
- Breastfeeding is recommended, as it reduces the risk of SIDS
- Babies fed only breast milk receive the greatest protection against SIDS, but any breastfeeding is more protective against SIDS than no breastfeeding
- Consider offering your baby a pacifier at naptime and bedtime
- The pacifier should not be attached to infant clothing or stuffed toys due to the risk of strangulation
- For breastfed infants, delay pacifier use until breastfeeding has been firmly established, usually by 3 to 4 weeks of age
- Avoid overheating
- In general, infants should be dressed appropriately for the environment, with no more than 1 layer more than an adult would wear to be comfortable in that environment
- Check your baby for signs of overheating, such as sweating or your baby’s chest feels hot to the touch
More Resources
For additional information, visit the links below: