Infant Safe Sleep and SIDS Awareness Can Help Protect Babies

Infant safe sleep is an important tool in the effort to raise awareness about sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Efforts to keep kids safe when they sleep should follow keys of infant safe sleep practices for babies.

It was in 1994 that pediatric professionals and parents began the Back to Sleep Campaign. Since then, SIDS deaths have decreased 50%, as caregivers and parents put babies on their backs for sleep.

Each year, about 3,400 sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUIDs) occur. The three commonly reported types are:

• SIDS
• Unknown cause
• Accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed

In 2020, almost 1,400 deaths were due to SIDS, about 1,062 deaths due to unknown causes, and about 905 deaths due to accidental suffocation and strangulation.

"Our goal is to help every mom, dad and caregiver we meet learn how their babies can sleep safely,” said Brittney Fischer, MSN, RN, Divisional Clinical Nurse Educator for Women’s and Children’s Services at Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center. “When we do, parents can sleep soundly."

Infant Safe Sleep, SIDS and Finding Ways to Stop Infant Mortality

SIDS deaths can’t be explained. They’re not suffocation, vomiting or choking, or having some contagious disease. SIDS isn’t related to getting an immunization, lacking one or some form of abuse.

While we know a lot about what SIDS is not, experts aren’t completely sure what causes it, and therefore it may not be completely preventable.

But there are ways to reduce the risk, especially for those babies who may already have risk factors for SIDS. Follow these guidelines:

• Babies should always sleep on their backs unless directed otherwise by a medical professional.
• Mothers should breastfeed if possible.
• Keep smoke away from babies. If you or other family members or friends smoke, do so outside of the house. Leave clothes you wear while smoking in the garage, then wash your hands, arms and face before holding the baby. The baby can breathe in these chemicals if you don’t take these precautions.
• There is some evidence that pacifier use can reduce the risk of SIDS.

How to Create a Safe Sleep Space for Baby

Evidence continues to show a reduced rate of SIDS when babies sleep in a room with their parents for at least six months. Room sharing is good, but do not share sleep spaces.

“From birth to 1 year, caregivers must follow safe sleep practices because if they do, it can reduce the number of sleep-related deaths,” Fischer said. “Put babies on their back to sleep, alone in their crib. Do it every time, from nap to nighttime.”

Other recommendations include:

• Put baby to sleep on his or her back at all times.
• Use a firm, flat sleep surface.
• Do not put soft objects in the sleeping area. This includes loose bedding, pillows, nonfitted sheets and blankets.
• Avoid smoke and nicotine exposure.
• Infants should sleep on a separate surface from their parents, but in close vicinity for the first six months after birth.
• Avoid overheating.

Babies should not sleep in baby swings, rock-and-plays, bouncers or baby car seats. Take your baby to your health care provider for on-time well-baby visits and immunizations.