While overall rates of sudden Infant Death Syndrome, more commonly known by its acronym: SIDS, are down from decades ago, over 3500 babies still die of SIDS-related causes annually. Earlier this October, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released updated guidelines on infant sleeping safety. Some of their key recommendations are as follows:

1. The APP recommends skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby take place as soon as possible after birth.
2. Have your infant sleep in your room on a separate, baby-safe surface. Recent APP literature suggests, “There is evidence that sleeping in the parents’ room but on a separate surface decreases the risk of SIDS by as much as 50%.”
3. Breast feeding is beneficial for babies, but be careful not to fall asleep doing so. If you think you may fall asleep while breast-feeding, try to have someone or something (like a phone alarm) around to wake you so you and the baby don’t fall asleep in that position. It may be hazardous if you are on a sofa or heavily padded surface.
4. Tuck one tight-fitting sheet around the mattress in your baby’s crib.
5. Contrary to what you may hear, refrain from using baby bumpers in the crib.
6. Remove all soft toys and objects. The AAP states, “There should be no pillows, sheets, blankets or other items that could obstruct the infant’s breathing or cause overheating.”
7. The baby should sleep alone, not with another person, as this increases the risk of accidental overlay (rolling over on the baby).
8. Never let your baby sleep on a soft surface such as a couch or arm chair.
9. The AAP suggests that giving the baby a pacifier before bedtime may help lessen the risk of SIDS.
10. Refrain from using products marketed as ‘SIDS prevention’ items, the AAP maintains there is no need to buy these expensive (and often unhelpful) items – simply follow the recommended safety guidelines to significantly lower the risk of SIDS.

Please share this important information in case your friends or family who have infants are not aware of the updates. The AAP strives to disseminate this information as widely as possible. Thanks for visiting DocChat!