October is SIDS awareness month. SIDS stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. SIDS occurs when an apparently healthy baby aged one month to a year dies suddenly and without cause while asleep. SIDS is the leading cause of death among one month to one year olds. As the name suggests, SIDS can occur at any time without obvious warning signs. Here are some precautions to reduce the risk of SIDS. Provide good medical care and adequate nutrition during pregnancy. Keep the baby in a smoke free environment as secondhand smoke is a reliable contributor to SIDS. Breastfeeding, minimal blankets and pillows in the crib, and putting the baby to sleep on their back all decrease the risk for SIDS.
