Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death between 1 month and 1 year of age. In fact, more than 90% of all SIDS deaths occur before babies reach 6 months of age. Accidental suffocation is the leading cause of infant injury deaths.
The risk of SIDS is 3 times higher in babies born with low birth weight. Tragically, an Orange County baby dies while sleeping in an adult bed or sharing a bed with another person nearly every other month.
Safe Sleep Brochures (available for download): English, Spanish, Vietnamese.
You can keep your baby safe while sleeping by following these basic practices:
- Give babies their own space in your room, separate from your bed.
- Use a firm, flat and level surface, covered only by a fitted sheet.
- Remove everything from a baby’s sleep area, except a fitted sheet to cover the mattress. (No objects, toys, crib bumpers, blankets, or other items.)
- Make sure your baby’s head and face remain uncovered while sleeping.
- Place your baby on their back to sleep, for naps and at night.
- Keep your baby’s surroundings smoke/vape free.
RESOURCES
To read the AAP Policy Statement on how to keep your baby sleeping baby safe, click here.
For a list of safe sleep articles published by HealthChildren.org, click here.
To visit the AAP-OC Safe Sleep webpage, click here.
To access the Orange County Health Care Agency’s webpage on SIDS, click here.
To review STEPS YOU CAN TAKE to reduce the risk of SIDS, visit the OC Health Agency’s educational webpage for parents by clicking here.
To read about the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) “Infant Safe Sleep Strategies Family-Centered Approach,” click here.
To visit the CDPH SIDS Program Safe Sleep for Babies webpage, click here.