Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: A Pediatrician Tells You How to Decrease Your Baby’s Risk of SIDS! by Catherine Merritt

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is when a seemingly healthy baby dies in his or her sleep. I interviewed Dr. Dania Rumbak, head pediatrician, chief medical officer and co-founder of the pediatric urgent care service Baby Doctor, and she shared these important steps to help prevent SIDS:

• NEVER put your baby to sleep in your bed. Pillows, sheets and comforters can cause suffocation, or you can roll onto your baby in the night. Waterbeds and cushions are also unsafe for sleeping babies.

• Put your baby to sleep in the same room as you until she reaches 1 year old.

• Always put your baby to sleep on his back. 

• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) found that breastfed babies are at a lower risk for SIDS.

• Babies should sleep on a firm surface with a tight-fitting sheet. There should be nothing else in the crib with the baby.

• Do not let your baby sleep on overly plush surfaces, such as a couch or adult bed.

For more on sudden infant death syndrome, visit Finnbin.com and BabyDoctor.com. 

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