More Ideas That May Help Reduce the Risk of SIDS

Along with creating a safe sleep environment, here are some other ways to lower your baby’s risk of SIDS:

✅ Feed your baby breast milk.
Evidence shows that human milk reduces the risk of SIDS. The longer you give your baby breast milk, the more protection it gives.

• Breastfeed or feed your baby expressed breast milk. The AAP recommends breastfeeding as the sole source of nutrition for your baby for about 6 months.
• Even after you add solid foods to your baby’s diet, keep giving your baby breast milk. The American Academy of Pediatrics supports continued breastfeeding after solid foods are introduced as long as you and your baby desire, for 2 years or beyond.

✅ Try giving your baby a pacifier at nap time and bedtime.
This helps reduce the risk of SIDS, even if the pacifier falls out after your baby is asleep. But keep in mind:

• If your baby is breastfed, wait until breastfeeding is established before offering a pacifier. That means your milk supply is good, breastfeeding is comfortable and consistent, your baby is latching well and they’re gaining weight like they should. If you’re not breastfeeding your baby, you can start the pacifier whenever you like.
• It’s OK if your baby doesn’t want a pacifier. You can try offering again later, but some babies simply don’t like them. If the pacifier falls out after your baby falls asleep, you don’t have to put it back in.
• Don’t hang a pacifier around your baby’s neck or attach it to their clothing when they’re sleeping.

✅ Get regular prenatal care & avoid substance use during pregnancy.
There’s strong evidence that routine prenatal care reduces your baby’s risk of SIDS. Also, avoid alcohol, marijuana, opioids or illicit drugs during pregnancy and after your baby is born. The risk of SIDS is higher when babies are exposed to alcohol or illicit substances.

✅ Don’t smoke or use nicotine during pregnancy or after your baby is born.
Smoking while you’re pregnant, and smoke in your baby’s environment after birth, are significant risk factors for SIDS. Don’t smoke anywhere near your baby, even if you’re outside. This includes vaping and electronic cigarettes, which contain nicotine.

Also keep your car and home smoke-free. Get rid of secondhand smoke in any areas your baby and other nonsmokers spend time. If you’re a smoker or you smoked during pregnancy, remember that it’s especially important that you don’t bed share with your baby. The risk of SIDS is especially high, even when the smoker doesn’t smoke in bed.

✅ Schedule and go to all well-child care visits.
Regular check-ups help ensure your baby’s growth and development is on track. In addition, your baby will receive important immunizations at these well-child visits with your pediatrician. Evidence suggests that infant vaccinations may help protect against SIDS.

✅ Make sure your baby has tummy time while awake every day.
An awake adult should supervise awake tummy time. This helps with your baby’s motor development and prevents flat head syndrome. Start with a short amount of tummy time soon after you get home from the hospital. Gradually increase the time until your baby is doing at least 15 to 30 minutes of tummy time every day by the time they’re 7 weeks old.