SIDS - Facts

What are some SIDS facts?

• SIDS deaths are unexpected and sudden. Parents are not to blame.
• SIDS is the number one cause of death among babies between the ages of one month and one year.  SIDS is most common in babies who are 1 to 4 months old, but babies can die from SIDS until they are 1 year old.
• Most babies have no sign of serious illness before the SIDS death. 
• The number of SIDS deaths is often higher in the cold winter months. Parents often place extra blankets or clothes on infants for extra warmth when the added material may actually increase infants' risk for SIDS.
• Cribs do not cause SIDS. Vomiting or choking does not cause SIDS.
• Immunizations do not cause SIDS, and may be protective from SIDS as well as infectious diseases.
• One in five SIDS deaths occurs while a baby is in the care of a person other than a parent. You can reduce your baby's risk by talking to people who care for your baby. Talk to them about putting your baby to sleep on his/her back and the other safe sleep recommendations.
• There is still much to learn about SIDS, but there are steps that can be done to lower a baby’s risk of dying a SIDS death. These important steps don’t eliminate, but greatly reduce the risk.    

More SIDS facts and Statistics.