Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Even One Child Lost is Too Many Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Offers Advice to Parents

By Carol Ball
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Safe Kids Georgia

October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Month. Each year, more than 2,500 infants in the United States die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), the sudden, unexplained death of an apparently healthy infant under one year of age. Despite efforts to educate parents and caregivers about preventing SIDS and suffocation, it remains a leading cause of death among infants from one month to one year of age. Although tremendous research advancements have reduced the infant mortality rate resulting from SIDS by more than 50 percent over the last decade, there were 121 Georgia families who lost a child to SIDS in 2003.

SIDS and suffocation are terrifying yet very real dangers that thousands of parents and families have faced. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Safe Kids Georgia offers the following advice to parents and caregivers to help prevent SIDS or suffocation: 

•  Back to sleep - Always place your child on his back to sleep. The risk of SIDS is doubled for infants who sleep on their stomachs.
• Breathing room - Remove anything from the crib that can block your child’s flow of air, including all stuffed animals, blankets, pillows and other loose bedding.
• Safe and sound - Make sure that your baby’s crib is safety-approved, and has a firm, flat mattress and tight-fitting sheet that cannot bunch up and put your baby at elevated danger for suffocation.
• Stay smoke-free – Never allow anyone to smoke near your baby. Exposure to secondhand smoke doubles the risk of SIDS.
• Sleep solo – Although many parents are tempted to share a bed with a new baby, the chance for accidental suffocation is high. Also, never place your child to sleep on any adult-size furniture, such as a couch or water-bed.
• Immunize your child – The risk of SIDS is substantially lower in infants who are up to date on their necessary immunizations.
• Educate your sitter – Every parent needs a night out, but be sure to first show your sitter these helpful tips to keep your child safe and secure.

For additional information about SIDS or suffocation, please call 404-250-kids or visit www.choa.org  or www.safekids.org .