Parents and caregivers may be aware of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), or the unexplained death, usually during sleep, of a seemingly healthy baby.
In Alaska, SIDS is one of the leading causes of death for infants less than a year old.
There are a number of ways to lower a baby’s risk of SIDS while giving him/her the best care possible. Simple actions can make a big difference.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests
the following to create a safe sleep environment for infants:
- Share a room with your baby, but not a bed—infants should always sleep alone
- Place your baby on his back to sleep every time
- Use a firm sleep surface, such as a safety-approved crib mattress, with a tight-fitting sheet
- Never place your baby to sleep on a couch, sofa, or armchair
- Remove any blankets, toys, stuffed animals, crib bumpers, dangling cords or other hazards from the baby’s sleep space
- Avoid exposure to smoke, alcohol, or illicit drugs
- Avoid overheating (in general, infants should have no greater than 1 layer more than an adult would wear to be comfortable)
Click here for more tips.
Want to learn more? Check out these resources.
- Sleep Position: Why Back is Best
- New Crib Standards (2019): What You Should Know
- Safe Sleep for Babies (Video)
- Alaska Parent: Reducing the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
- thread Joins Efforts to Protect Children’s Brain Development