What is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)?
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden and unexplained death of an otherwise healthy baby under 1 year of age.
SIDS deaths are tragic, unexpected, and can happen without warning, often during sleep. It’s important to understand that parents and caregivers are not to blame.
While the exact cause of SIDS remains unknown, research has identified certain practices that can greatly reduce the risk, even if they can’t eliminate it entirely. These include:
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Placing babies on their backs to sleep every time (for naps and at night)
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Using a firm sleep surface without soft bedding, pillows, or toys
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Sharing a room, but not a bed, with the baby
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Avoiding smoking during pregnancy and after birth
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Breastfeeding, if possible
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Offering a pacifier at nap time and bedtime
By following safe sleep guidelines and creating a safe sleep environment, families can help protect their babies and reduce the risk of SIDS.
Supporting information
Updated June 27, 2025, by the Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health Unit, shastamcah [at] shastacounty.gov (shastamcah[at]shastacounty[dot]gov)
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