Here’s the really, really good news: in the last 20 years, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has decreased by 50% in the United States.
That drop is due in no small part to the internet - to access to safe sleep information and education, and the ability to quickly and effectively spread the word. It’s due to parents demanding safe cribs and baby sleep products from manufacturers and higher global standards for production and safety. Together, we’re working hard and saving precious, tiny lives.
And - SIDS is still the leading cause of death for infants between 1 month and 1 year of age in the US. For this reason, October is SIDS Awareness Month - a time when we all come together to aim our energy toward the solutions we know save lives - safe sleep practices, good postpartum support, and better access to resources for families in need.
So this October, we’re joining the cause to increase awareness AND action around SIDS. Though the exact cause of SIDS isn’t known, we DO know lots of ways to reduce risk. And we want to make sure they get shared with as many families as possible.
For starters, here’s a short list of best practices from National Institute of Child Health and Human Development’s Safe to Sleep campaign:
Place your baby on his or her back to sleep, every time
Use a firm sleep surface, like a mattress in a safety-approved crib, covered with a fitted sheet
Don’t let your baby sleep on soft surfaces (like an adult bed, sofa, or couch)
Share a room with your baby, but not a bed
Make sure nothing covers your baby’s face or head
Keep pillows, blankets, or crib bumpers out of your baby’s sleep area
Don’t smoke or let others smoke around your baby
Dress your baby in sleep clothing and don’t use a blanket
Breastfeed your baby when possible
And for those of you who would like to join us and get more involved in spreading safety and awareness this October, here are a few more ways to get safe, get loud, and give back:
Get Safe
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have a resource page with information about safe sleep practices and SIDS research for parents and caregivers.
The American Academy of Pediatrics Safe Sleep Campaign Toolkit is full of facts, tips, and simple ways to spread the message of safe sleep.
La Leche League International has a sleep safety resource page specifically for breastfeeding families.
March of Dimes has an easy-to-follow checklist of sleep safety dos and don’ts to put to work in your nursery or share with a friend.
Get Loud
Want to help spread the word? The National Institute for Children’s Healthy Quality (NICHQ) provides annual social media posts, images, and shareable facts that you can use to raise awareness and promote safe sleep habits.
Become a Safe Sleep Guardian by committing to making sure your social media posts uphold safe sleep habits.
Give Back
First Candle is committed to eliminating SIDS and other sleep-related deaths through education while also providing support for families who have experienced loss.
Cribs for Kids provides safe cribs to families in need in an effort to fight back against higher risk of infant loss in lower income households.
Or make a donation to the Aaron Matthew SIDS Research Guild to support new science, prevention, and solutions that just might save lives.
Thank you for sharing safe sleep practices, upholding healthy sleep habits at home, and helping us spread the word!