Alameda Health System loves babies so much we have an entire facility dedicated to their arrival called the Highland Hospital Family Birthing Center. While labor and delivery can be intense, AHS knows the real work starts at home. Most important for parents and caregivers is developing safe sleeping habits for baby.

In 2014 about 3,500 infants died suddenly and unexpectedly in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the death of a child under 1 year of age that cannot be explained after thorough investigation. SIDS usually occurs during sleep.

While there is no known way to effectively prevent SIDS there are some helpful tips to lower a baby’s risk:

  • Share a room not a bed
  • Use a firm and flat surface for baby to sleep on
  • Put baby to sleep alone without extra bedding or toys
  • Prevent baby from getting too hot
  • Place baby on his or her back to sleep for the naptime and bedtime
  • Avoid smoking during pregnancy or around baby after birth

For more information on safe sleeping information visit the National Institute of Health’s Safe to Sleep ® campaign page.

Edited on June 22, 2018.