What is SIDS?

Modifiable Risk Factors

Loose Bedding and Inappropriate Sleep Environments

Epidemiologic studies identified sleeping with pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, loose bedding and soft mattresses as risk factors for SIDS when placed under the infant or over an infant’s head. While the number of infants put to sleep on their backs has increased, so has the number of infants placed to sleep in unsafe sleep environments such as an adult bed, couch or sofa. Adult beds are likely to have pillows, blankets, comforters and other loose bedding which increase an infant’s risk of SIDS.

NICHD reports that despite the large-scale efforts spearheaded by the CPSC to promote safe infant sleep environments, the use of soft bedding has not decreased appreciably since 1992.43 Other recent studies have indicated that infants who sleep in adult beds are at higher risk for death, especially when soft bedding is used or when they share a bed with adults and other children.44

Developed by the Program Support Center at First Candle with collaborative assistance from the Sudden and Unexpected Infant/Child Death and Pregnancy Loss Centers.