The findings of a nine-month investigation by the Scripps Howard News Service show that often what is labeled SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is more likely suffocation and it is more likely to occur outside the crib than in other sleeping environments. It is extremely important for parents and caregivers to adhere to the following guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics to create safe sleeping environments for children:
• Infants should be placed on their back for sleep.
• Soft materials, such as pillows or comforters, should not be placed under a sleeping infant.
• Keep soft objects and loose bedding out of the crib.
• Create a separate but nearby sleeping environment.
• Consider offering a pacifier throughout the first year of life.
• Infants should be lightly clothed for sleep.
• Avoid commercial devices marketed to reduce the risk of SIDS. Do not use home monitors since there is no evidence monitors reduce its frequency.
