Parent Tips From SIDS Alliance: Preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Parent Tips from SIDS Alliance.

You have a new baby or you've just found out you're pregnant! Here are some important tips for new parents, grandparents and infant caregivers to help reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and accidental infant deaths. Based on the latest research, we provide them to you in the hope of giving every baby the best possible chance to thrive:

Place your baby on their back to sleep at night and naptime.

Use a firm mattress, covered only with a sheet, in a safety-approved crib.

Remove all loose and fluffy bedding from your baby’s sleep area. This includes pillows, blankets, quilts, comforters, bumper pads, sheepskins, positioners, stuffed toys and other soft products.

Do not place your baby to sleep on a sofa, waterbed, pillow, soft mattress, or any other soft surface.

Be careful not to overheat your baby with excessive clothing, bedding or room temperature. We recommend 65-71 degrees Fahrenheit.

Don't allow anyone to smoke around your baby and do not let your baby spend time in an area where others have smoked.

Educate babysitters, day care providers, grandparents and everyone who cares for your baby about reducing the risk of infant death.

And don't forget to enjoy your new baby! First Candle/SIDS Alliance joins the American Academy of Pediatrics, the U.S. Public Health Service and the Association of SIDS and Infant Mortality Programs as a proud sponsor of the Back to Sleep Campaign.