Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Summary

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexplained death of an infant younger than one year old. Some people call SIDS “crib death” because many babies who die of SIDS are found in their cribs.

SIDS is the leading cause of death in children between one month and one year old. Most SIDS deaths occur when babies are between one month and four months old. Premature babies, boys, African Americans, and American Indian/Alaska Native infants have a higher risk of SIDS.

Although the cause of SIDS is unknown, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk. These include:

• Placing your baby on his or her back to sleep, even for short naps. “Tummy time” is for when babies are awake and someone is watching
• Having your baby sleep in your room for at least the first six months. Your baby should sleep close to you, but on a separate surface designed for infants, such as a crib or bassinet.
• Using a firm sleep surface, such as a crib mattress covered with a fitted sheet
• Keeping soft objects and loose bedding away from your baby’s sleep area
• Breastfeeding your baby
• Making sure that your baby doesn’t get too hot. Keep the room at a comfortable temperature for an adult.
• Not smoking during pregnancy or allowing anyone to smoke near your baby

NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Reference Desk

• About Safe Sleep for Babies: Definitions & Terms Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play American Academy of Pediatrics
• Safe Sleep for Baby: Reducing the Risk of SIDS National Institutes of Health
• Safe Sleep for Your Baby: Reduce the Risk of SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Causes of Infant Death Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• Sudden Unexpected Infant Death and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Parents and Caregivers Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Ways to Reduce Baby’s Risk Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Sudden Infant Death National Institutes of Health

Find an Expert

• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Specifics

• Frequently Asked Questions About SIDS and Safe Infant Sleep Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• Safe Sleep Environment for Baby Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Vaccines Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• What Causes SIDS? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Related Issues

• How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe American Academy of Pediatrics
• Infant Mortality Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Tummy Time for a Healthy Baby Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Journal Articles

• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Statistics and Research

• Safe Sleep for Babies Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Patient Handouts

• Sudden infant death syndrome Medical Encyclopedia

Start Here

• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• What Is SIDS? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Genetics

• Sudden infant death with dysgenesis of the testes syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine