Facts on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

What is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome?

SIDS is the sudden, unexpected and unexplained death of a baby within his or her first year of life. Most times, infants pass away in their sleep, and even through autopsies and reviewing family and clinical histories, no cause of death is ever found. This type of death, which is often also called crib death or cot death, often leaves parents feeling helpless and vulnerable, since it is usually the mother, father or other caregiver who find the child after he or she has already died. Many times, parents blames themselves for their child's death, and live with this guilt for the rest of their lives.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Statistics

The numbers speak for themselves. The following statistical data shows just how common SIDS is, but also how the rate is continuing to decline over the years. This information has been made public by the organization, SIDS Families:

• SIDS occurs in up to two of every 1,000 live births
• About nine babies die every day due to SIDS
• 80 percent die before reaching five months old
• 90 percent die before six months old
• 98 percent die before reaching their first birthday
• Most SIDS babies are between two and four months old
• African-American babies are two-and-a-half times more likely to be affected by SIDS than Caucasian babies, while Native American infants are three times more susceptible.
• Two-thirds of all SIDS babies had no risk factors associated with their deaths
• SIDS is the second most common cause of death for babies under one years old, with the first being prematurity and congenital birth defects
• More male babies die from SIDS than female
• Since the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) began its "Back to Sleep" campaign in 1992, the rate of SIDS has dropped by about 38 percent

More Facts on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Since there is no cause of SIDS, finding a cure or solution has not been easy. However, researchers have found that by eliminating certain risk factors from the parent and child's environment, the chance of having a baby die unexpectedly and without a cause had declined. Those risk factors include:

• Place babies on their backs to sleep: The AAP urges all new parents to place their babies on their backs to sleep every single time. Besides SIDS, this also helps eliminate the possibility of your baby scooting himself or herself into the corner of the crib or suffocating on bedding. This has been the single best protection against SIDS.
• The crib: The mattress should be firm; bed mattresses, sofas or other soft surfaces are not ideal places for baby to sleep. Toys, blankets and other soft items should be removed from the crib.
• Baby's body: Keep all blankets, etc. away from the baby's face while he or she sleeps. Also, keep the baby from overheating; don't keep the room warmer than what you would normally keep it.
• No smoking: Cigarette (and cigar) smoking both during your pregnancy and after the baby is born can increase the risk of SIDS.
• Bed sharing: Although this is highly debated, the AAP recommends that the baby sleep in his or her own bed and not co-sleep with the parents.
• Pacifiers: Parents should offer the baby a pacifier while putting the baby down to sleep.
• Sleep monitors: Avoid using products designed to "alarm" parents if baby stops moving or breathing. The AAP reports that there is no evidence that they reduce the risk of SIDS.

More Information on SIDS

For more information or facts on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, visit the following Web sites:

• National Institute of Health
• Healthy Child Care America
• First Candle
• Kids Health
• SIDS Network
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention