resources
Empowering Families with Knowledge and Support
Our Resources page is a comprehensive hub of information, guidance, and support for families, caregivers, and anyone interested in learning more about infant safety and SIDS prevention. Here, you'll find educational materials, research updates, safe sleep guidelines, and personal stories that illuminate the path to awareness and healing.
We believe in empowering individuals with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about infant care. Explore our resources to understand more about SIDS, discover how you can contribute to prevention efforts, and learn how to support families experiencing loss.
Facts About SIDS
Fast
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SIDS is the leading cause of death among babies between 1 month and 1 year of age.
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More than 2,000 babies died of SIDS in 2010, the last year for which such statistics are available.
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Most SIDS deaths occur when in babies between 1 month and 4 months of age, and the majority (90%) of SIDS deaths occur before a baby reaches 6 months of age. However SIDS deaths can occur anytime during a baby's first year.
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SIDS is a sudden and silent medical disorder that can happen to an infant who seems healthy.
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SIDS is sometimes called "crib death" or "cot death" because it is associated with the timeframe when the baby is sleeping. Cribs themselves don't cause SIDS, but the baby's sleep environment can influence sleep-related causes of death.
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Slightly more boys die of SIDS than do girls.
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In the past, the number of SIDS deaths seemed to increase during the colder months of the year. But today, the numbers are more evenly spread throughout the calendar year.
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SIDS rates for the United States have dropped steadily since 1994 in all racial and ethnic groups. Thousands of infant lives have been saved, but some ethnic groups are still at higher risk for SIDS.
DID YOU KNOW?
Crib Bumper Pads, Stuffed Animals, & Blankets are so cute these days! But did you know you should have nothing in the crib except baby & baby only while sleeping on back?
Infant Sleep Education
Safe
There's nothing sweeter or more peaceful than a sleeping baby. But how do you know if they're sleeping safely?
Protect your baby while they are sleeping.
3,500 infants die each year in the U.S. due to sleep related deaths. Unintentional suffocation is the leading cause of injury-related death among children less than 1 year old. Many of these deaths are due to unsafe sleeping situations that lead to unintentional suffocation.
Infants sleep more than 50 percent of the time. In the first couple weeks, newborns sleep almost 70 percent of the time. As parents and caregivers, we know you want to do everything it takes to protect your baby.
We’re here to help with some tips on how to keep your baby safe while sleeping, as well as some things you need to make sure you are not doing.
This is Safe:
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Babies age 0-12 months should sleep in a safety-approved crib, portable crib, play yards, or bassinet at night and during naps.
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Babies should sleep on firm surfaces with tightly fitted sheets.
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Babies should sleep in the same room as the parents, but not in the same bed (room-sharing without bed-sharing).
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Breastfeeding is recommended.
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After nursing, the mother should return the baby to their own bed before falling asleep.
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Always place your baby on his or her back for every sleep time.
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Offer a pacifier at nap time and bedtime.
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Usually, babies with reflux should sleep flat on their back.*
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To keep your baby warm while sleeping, use a sleep sack or long-sleeved onesie.
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If you are using an infant carrier, make sure the infant's head is up and above the fabric, the face is visible, and that the nose and mouth are clear of obstructions.
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Infants should receive all recommended vaccinations.
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Supervised, awake tummy time is recommended daily to facilitate development and minimize the occurrence of positional plagiocephaly (flat heads).
*If you would like more detail or to see the scientific studies that led to these recommendations, read the full American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement.
What You Need to Know
Us Share
Help
Do you know of a new or expectant mom you want to share this information with?
Please feel free to use our messaging below or create your own. To use our messaging, all you have to do is copy the messages we've provided below and insert the appropriate photo into whichever social media site you use. We do ask that you keep #safesleep in the message.
Shareable Social Media Messages and Graphics
This is unsafe.
Babies should always sleep on their backs.
Always place your baby on their back every time they sleep in their crib, until they are old enough to roll over on their own. When sleeping on their tummies, they are at risk for suffocation. #safesleep
This is unsafe.
There should be no items in the bed with your baby.
Keep soft objects or loose bedding out of the crib. This includes pillows, blankets, stuffed toys and bumper pads. All these items all can cause baby to suffocate, if they are not unable to move yet on their own. #safesleep
This is unsafe.
Worried about your baby being cold? Use a sleep sack instead of a blanket.
To keep your baby warm at night, use a sleep sack or long-sleeved onesie rather than blankets or swaddling. #safesleep
This is unsafe.
Car seats are not safe places for babies to nap.
Always keep your baby properly buckled up in their car seat. Otherwise, they could move into a position while sleeping where they could suffocate. #safesleep http://bit.ly/carseatnap
This is unsafe.
Feeling sleepy? Put your baby to bed first.
Being a new mom is exhausting. If you feel yourself dozing off while holding your baby, make sure to put him or her in their crib first. Otherwise, your baby could accidentally suffocate as you both move around while you sleep. #safesleep
This is unsafe.
Room share, don’t bed share.
Sharing a room with your baby in the first months helps to keep them safe and makes it easier for breast feeding. However, make sure that they are sleeping alone in their crib. Bed sharing can lead to accidental suffocation. #safesleep
This is unsafe.
Use a sleep sack instead of swaddling.
Swaddling can cause respiratory infections, hip dysplasia, overheating and accidental suffocation. #safesleep
This is unsafe.
3,500 infants die annually in the U.S. from sleep-related deaths.
Keep your baby safe by following safe infant sleep recommendations. #safesleep
Helpful Websites and Article Links
CookChildren's Center for Community Health
View Article: Injury Prevention - Safe Baby Sleep
SAFE TO SLEEP®