Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) — also called cot death — is the unexplained sudden death of a baby under 1 year, usually during sleep. While SIDS is not fully understood, strong evidence points to specific risk factors that can be reduced. In India, sleep practices and environment can be optimised to lower risk substantially.

Safer-sleep measures — strongest evidence

• Place baby on back to sleep, every time, for every sleep — for nap and night. Not stomach, not side.
• Firm, flat sleep surface — a proper baby mattress; no soft bedding, pillows, heavy blankets, soft toys near face.
• Room-share, don't bed-share — keep the baby's cot/crib near the parents' bed for the first 6-12 months. Avoid bed-sharing with exhausted adults, if parents smoke, or after alcohol/sleeping pills.
• Nothing loose in the sleep space — no pillows, duvet, bumper pads, or toys.
• Keep baby cool, not hot — don't over-wrap; the head should be uncovered.
• Breastfeed if possible — reduces SIDS risk.
• Up-to-date vaccinations — reduce SIDS risk (opposite of the myth).
• No smoking anywhere near the baby (and no smoking during pregnancy); keep the home smoke-free.

Who is at higher risk

• Babies under 1 year (peak 2-4 months).
• Premature or low-birth-weight babies.
• Mothers who smoked during pregnancy.
• Bed-sharing with exhausted or alcohol/drug-affected adults.
• Overly warm environment or bedding.

If a baby stops breathing

• Dial 112.
• Start CPR (see CPR page) — even imperfect CPR is far better than no CPR.
• Continue until the ambulance arrives.

After a sudden infant death

A sudden infant loss is devastating. Grief, guilt and trauma are overwhelming. Professional mental-health support (and peer support from parents who have been through it) is important — don't walk through it alone. KIRAN — 1800-599-0019, Vandrevala — +91 9999 666 555 — free, 24-hour, confidential counselling. In most cases no cause is ever found — it is nobody's fault.