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Maternal Child Health Field Nursing

Sonoma County SIDS Program

What is SIDS?

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden death of an infant under one year of age, which remains unexplained after a thorough investigation. SIDS, sometimes referred to as "crib death," occurs during sleep. The death is sudden and unpredictable. In most cases the baby seems healthy. It is important to know that sleeping in a crib does not cause SIDS.

SIDS is one of the leading causes of death in babies between 1 month and 1 year of age. Most SIDS deaths occur when a baby is between 2 and 4 months old. There are more SIDS deaths during colder months of the year. SIDS strikes nearly 2,500 babies in the United States every year. About 200 babies in California die each year from SIDS.

After more than 30 years of research, scientists still do not know the definite causes for SIDS. There is no way to predict or prevent SIDS. However, there are infant care practices that have been shown to significantly lower the risk of SIDS.

Reduce the Risk

What you can do to help reduce the risk of SIDS:

• Place your baby on his or her back to sleep.
• Keep your baby in a smoke-free environment.
• Your baby needs to sleep on a firm, flat surface. Do not place the baby to sleep on fluffy or soft linens, pillows, sheep skins, or other soft materials.
• Avoid overheating or overdressing your baby. Dress the baby in as much or as little as you would wear.

A Public Health Nurse Can Help

Public Health Nurses (PHNs) are specially trained in bereavement. They provide grief support, information, referrals, and link families and caregivers affected by SIDS to peer support programs.

PHNs also provide community outreach education to increase awareness of SIDS, and to promote risk reduction practices.

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Online Resources

California SIDS Program
Provides a wide variety of information, including Grief & Bereavement resources, SIDS Facts, and infant care practices for Reducing the Risk of SIDS.

State of California SIDS Program
The State of California Maternal and Child Health Branch provides information about the SIDS program.

National SIDS Resource Center
Provides information services and technical assistance on sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and related topics.

SIDS Alliance of Northern California
A non-profit, volunteer group of SIDS parents and professionals dedicated to family support and community education regarding SIDS.

Peer Contacts and Support Group Facilitators Needed
Are you a parent, grandparent, family member, child care provider or foster parent, affected by a SIDS death? Are you interested in learning how to help newly bereaved SIDS families? Then, consider being trained as a peer contact.

We ask that interested individuals have experienced their loss at least one year before attending a training. Peer contacts who are interested in managing a SIDS support group are encouraged to be trained as facilitators. You do not have to reside in the area where trainings are held to attend. Training sessions and materials are free. Financial assistance is available for interested individuals who meet eligibility guidelines to help cover the cost of lodging and travel.

Contact the California SIDS Program at 800-369-SIDS (7437) or 916-266-SIDS (7437) if you are interested in attending. If you would like additional information, visit the California SIDS Program website, www.californiasids.com.