FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: September 29, 2014

Contact: DeShay Oliver, PIO

Cleveland County Health Department

704-484-5199

October is SIDS Awareness Month

Learn what you and others can do to help your baby sleep safely!

(Shelby, NC)—According to the CDC, about 4,000 infants die suddenly and unexpectedly each year in the United States—half of these deaths are due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). SIDS is the leading cause of death among infants between 1 month and 1 year of age. SIDS Awareness Month focuses on actions you and others can take to help your baby sleep safely and to reduce your baby’s risk of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of infant death.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden death of an infant younger than 1 year of age that remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation. This investigation includes performing a complete autopsy, examining the death scene, and reviewing the clinical history. The term “SIDS” may sound scary, and the death of a baby is always heartbreaking. But there are a number of ways you can lower his or her risk while giving your baby the best care possible.

Learning about SIDS and safe sleep for babies is important for all caregivers, not just for parents. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, babysitters, childcare providers, and anyone else who might care for babies should learn more. Simple actions can make a big difference. Although the exact cause of SIDS is unknown, the CDC recommends the following steps to help reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of infant death:

·  Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, for naps and at night.

·  Use a firm sleep surface covered by a fitted sheet.

·  Your baby should not sleep in an adult bed, on a couch, or on a chair alone, with you, or with anyone else.

·  Keep soft objects, toys, and loose bedding out of your baby's sleep area.

·  Do not smoke during pregnancy, and do not smoke or allow smoking around your baby.

·  Breastfeed your baby.

·  Give your baby a dry pacifier that is not attached to a string for naps and at night.

·  Do not let your baby get too hot during sleep.

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You can learn more about SIDS, its risk factors and action steps you can take to help prevent it by visiting http://www.cdc.gov/features/sidsawarenessmonth/. You can take the first step to reduce the risk of SIDS by always placing your baby on his or her back to sleep!

What does a safe sleep environment look like?

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