Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden and unexplained death of a baby younger than 1 year old. The exact cause of SIDS is unknown, but it is thought to be caused by a combination of factors. Researchers have found problems in the brains of babies who died from SIDS, including in a network of nerve cells in a part of the brain that controls breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and waking from sleep. Other research suggests that changes in the baby’s genes may cause problems with how the body functions, including breathing and waking from sleep. Environmental stresses could also be a factor, including tobacco smoke, getting overheated, sleeping on a soft surface, sleeping with soft objects or loose blankets and pillows, and sleeping in a parent’s bed. Some factors that may increase the risk of SIDS include:

• Being born prematurely or at a low birth weight
• Having a family history of SIDS
• Being around tobacco smoke after birth
• Sleeping on a soft surface
• Sleeping with soft objects or loose blankets and pillows
• Sleeping in a parent’s bed
• Getting overheated

There is no definite way to prevent SIDS, but there are ways to reduce the risk, including placing a baby on their back to sleep, using a firm sleep surface, keeping soft objects and loose bedding out of the sleep area, avoiding overheating, and not smoking during pregnancy or after the baby is born.