“Back to Sleep” and other ways to reduce infant deaths

There are many ways to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. SIDS, sometimes called “crib death,” is the sudden and unexplained death of an infant under one year of age. The DeKalb County Board of Health encourages new parents to follow these SIDS Alliance recommendations:

Always place your baby on the back to sleep. Back sleeping is the safest sleep position for your baby in reducing the risk of SIDS.
Use a firm mattress in a safety-approved crib. Soft mattresses, sofa cushions, pillows, futons, beanbags and waterbeds are unsafe sleeping surfaces for your baby.
Eliminate soft bedding from your baby’s sleeping area. Fluffy blankets, comforters, pillows and soft toys should be removed.
Keep blankets away from your baby’s face. Use a warm sleeper instead of a blanket. If a blanket is used, place the infant on its back with its feet close to the foot of the crib and with the blanket tucked around the mattress, only as far as the baby’s chest.
Be careful not to overheat your baby. Signs of overheating include sweating, damp hair, heat rash, rapid breathing and restlessness.
Provide a smoke-free environment. Not exposing your baby to cigarette smoke also can reduce the risk of SIDS.
Educate babysitters, childcare providers and grandparents about these ways to reduce SIDS.

Author Notes:

Marcus Sharp contributes and publishes news editorial to http://mattressreviews.us. Choose from a large variety of mattress types and get a good night’s sleep!