SIDS Guidelines Confirmed, Expanded

In a new study, about half of sudden infant deaths occurred in babies who had been placed in unsafe sleeping positions. The study was presented October 17 at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP also released expanded guidelines to help prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The new study looked at 91 recent SIDS cases or other unexplained infant deaths. Doctors have recommended putting babies on their backs to sleep for nearly 20 years. But in half of the deaths studied, the baby had been in some other position. About half were sharing a bed. Nearly 3 out of 4 were sleeping on a surface such as a sofa or pillow. The AAP says these practices are unsafe. MedPage Today wrote about the study. The AAP issued its new SIDS guidelines October 18. For the first time, they say that cribs should not have bumper pads.