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  Protect Baby from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Download

WHAT IS SIDS? Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS, is the sudden unexpected death of a baby during sleep. No cause of death is found. SIDS usually happens during the first 6 months of life. Fortunately SIDS is rare in Hong Kong (1-3 babies out of every 10,000 babies born). Although the cause remains unknown, research has found ways to reduce the risk. Around the world, thousands of babies have been protected from SIDS where their parents follow the guidelines below.
WAYS TO HELP PROTECT A BABY FROM SIDS Place your baby on the back to sleep
In Hong Kong most parents do this anyway which is probably why the SIDS rate is low here. The back sleeping position is twice as safe as the side and six times safer than the front for a baby. Many research studies have now shown this.
Give your baby a smokefree start to life Where both parents are smokefree during pregnancy and in the first 12 months of life, protection from SIDS is doubled for a baby. Poisons from cigarettes cross the placenta and reach a baby during pregnancy. Also, smoking around a baby harms their fragile airways - ears, nose, throat and lungs. It can lead to illness such as asthma, ear and other infections, breathing problems, and problems with breastfeeding.
Keep your baby's face and head uncovered during sleep A baby's face and head are important for breathing and cooling during sleep. They can become covered by loose bedding or if the baby wriggles down under thick fluffy bedcovers. Placing the baby's feet at the foot of the cot may help to prevent this from happening.
A firm mattress and under-bedding is important in case a baby rolls onto the front when asleep. Research has shown that covers over the head or face, and soft sleeping surfaces if babies are on their front, can increase a baby's risk of SIDS.
WAYS TO KEEP BABY SAFE DURING SLEEP Position: Lay baby on back with face up Air: Clean air that is smoke free Surface: Avoid soft surfaces like water beds and bean bags Bedding: Avoid loose covers and large soft pillows

 
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Last revision date: 2 November 2010