SIDS: Every New Parent’s Fear, What To Watch For

Sudden Infant Death (SIDS) can happen to anyone, at all levels of income and influence, and it’s every parent’s fear. You probably heard the stories: Baby is just fine, goes to sleep, and never wakes up. Fortunately, it is rare. However, there are some things that you can do to reduce the risk. Additionally, make sure to read the disclaimer at the end of this article. 

When Are Babies Most At Risk?

There are plenty of good resources for new parents, but SIDS is one of the least predictable conditions. According to an NBC article backed up by studies in 2023, infant deaths from birth to one year reduced significantly in the 1990s. That happened when the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended that the little ones sleep on their backs.

There are still sleep-related deaths amongst infants in the USA, and the 2022 statistics report about 3,4K babies died. If you have a baby, you need to keep the child well away from those who smoke tobacco products. Additionally, the loss of babies to SIDS tends to increase during the cold months.

What Can You Do To Safeguard Your Child?

While experts study Sudden Infant Death, it’s not a big enough pool of annual deaths to establish the exact causes. However, as a parent, there are things you can do to try and prevent it from happening to your child. Remember, being a parent is fulfilling and joyful, but babies need a lot of care. Lower the risk of tragedy by following some simple tips.

The AAP recommends the following tips:

• Place infants on their backs for sleep in their own sleep space with no other people.
• Use a crib, bassinet, or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet. Avoid sleeping on a couch or armchair, or in a seating device, like a swing or car safety seat (except while riding in the car).
• Keep loose blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, bumpers, and other soft items out of the sleep space.
• Breastfeed if possible and avoid smoking.

What Else Can Help?

Follow the advice of your pediatrician and make sure you go for regular checkups. If you bring in a caregiver, they must know exactly how you want your infant to sleep. The CDC recommends that the mattress shouldn’t be too soft. Instead, “use a firm, flat (not at an angle or inclined) sleep surface, such as a mattress in a safety-approved crib covered only by a fitted sheet.”

Educate yourself before pregnancy, because according to a  2025 update by UpToDate, “maternal smoking” is thought to be one of the risk factors for SIDS. The website also explains that you should take your child for vaccinations.

Notably, their cited research says: 

Studies of large numbers of children have shown no increased risk of dying as a result of childhood vaccines. Furthermore, the number of cases of SIDS has fallen by more than 50 percent since the mid-1980s, whereas the number of vaccines administered since that time has continued to rise

Disclaimer: Note that this article is a guideline for parents and is not a cure or guarantee to prevent your child from suffering from Sudden Infant Death. Always discuss any concerns you may have with your medical professional.