Each year in the U.S., thousands of babies die suddenly and unexpectedly. These deaths are called SUID (pronounced Soo-id), which stands for “Sudden Unexpected Infant Death.”
SUID and Sudden Infant Death Causes
SUID includes all unexpected deaths: those without a clear cause, such as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and those from a known cause, such as suffocation. One-half of all SUID cases are SIDS. Many unexpected infant deaths are accidents, but a disease or something done on purpose can also cause a baby to die suddenly and unexpectedly.
“Sleep-related causes of infant death” are those linked to how or where a baby sleeps or slept. These deaths are due to accidental causes, such as suffocation, entrapment or strangulation. Entrapment is when the baby gets trapped between two objects, such as a mattress and a wall, and can’t breathe. Strangulation is when something presses on or wraps around the baby’s neck, blocking the baby’s airway. These deaths are not SIDS.
Safe-Sleep Environment Recommendations

Create a safe sleep environment for your baby, for naps and at night to reduce the risk of SIDS. Share with a co-parent, grandparent or other caregivers that are caring for your baby.
- Always place a baby on his or her back to sleep — for naps and at night — to reduce the risk of SUID.
- Use a firm sleep surface, covered by a fitted sheet. A crib, bassinet, portable crib or play yard that conforms to the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission is recommended.
- Your baby should not sleep in an adult bed, on a couch or on a chair alone, with you or with anyone else.
- Keep your baby’s bed in the same room where you sleep (for the infants first year). Room sharing not bed sharing. Always place the baby in a safety-approved crib, bassinet or portable crib for sleep.
- Sitting devices like bouncy seats, swings, infant carriers or strollers should not be used for routine sleep.
- Keep soft objects such as pillows and blankets, toys and bumpers out of your baby’s sleep area.
- Wedges and positioners should not be used.
- Do not smoke during pregnancy or allow smoking around your baby.
- Do not let your sleeping baby get too hot.
- Breastfeed your baby.

- Give your baby a dry pacifier that is not attached to a string for naps and at night to reduce the risk of SIDS after breastfeeding is established.
- Supervised skin-to-skin is recommended to all mothers and infants immediately following birth regardless of feeding or delivery, (as soon as mother is medically stable, awake and able to respond to her newborn) and to continue for at least an hour. Once mother starts to get sleepy, return baby to bassinet.
- Follow health care provider guidance on your baby’s vaccines and regular health checkups.
- Give your baby plenty of tummy time when he or she is awake and someone is watching.
For additional information and education on safe sleep please visit cribsforkids.org.
Download Guide: "What Does A Safe Sleep Environment Look Like?"
Unsafe Infant Sleep Products
Semi-reclined and co-sleeping products designed for infant sleep are becoming increasingly popular, but their safety is a concern. When asked about the safety of these products, it's important to refer to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines and the ABCs of safe sleep.
- Avoid semi-reclined products for sleep. Swings, bouncers, and other products that keep babies in a semi-reclined position should never be used for naps or overnight sleep. These positions can alter an infant's neck alignment, potentially obstructing their airway and making breathing difficult. Many of these products also come with soft pillows and headrests, which pose a significant suffocation risk.
- Addressing reflux with sleep position: While some parents may use semi-reclined positions to help manage reflux, research shows this positioning does not effectively reduce reflux symptoms. The AAP’s guidelines on reflux management for infants state that semi-reclined positions, especially in infant carriers or car seats, may actually worsen gastroesophageal reflux and should be avoided, particularly after feeding.
- Car seats are for travel, not sleep. Car seats are designed to keep infants safe while in motion, but they are not intended for sleeping outside of travel. When a car seat is removed from its base, the angle may shift, compromising the infant’s neck position and airway.
Although it’s inevitable that babies may doze off during travel, it's important for parents to take frequent breaks, monitor their baby regularly, and ensure they are not left asleep in a car seat or other semi-reclined product for extended periods.
In all cases, always follow the ABCs of safe sleep: Alone, on their Back, in a Crib. This is the safest sleep environment for infants.
Adapted from chawisconsin.org "Sleep Baby Safe."
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