October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month. More than 1 out of 3 sudden unexpected infant deaths that occur in the United States are from SIDS. While there is no sure way to prevent SIDS, there are steps that parents and caregivers can take to reduce the risk.

Take a look at the Safe Sleep 365 campaign by the Virginia Department of Social Services for more information.

Every Sleep with Every Caregiver

About 1 in 5 SIDS deaths occur while an infant is being cared for by someone other than a parent.

Olivia Nicole Ary was 3 months old when she died in a home-based child care program in Arlington, VA. On the day she died, she had been placed to sleep face down on a blanket while still wearing her snowsuit. The provider did not call 911 while Olivia was struggling to breathe, and incorrectly performed CPR on her.

Be an advocate for your baby's safety. Have candid conversations with caregivers about sleep positioning and encourage them to follow safe sleep guidelines. If your child is enrolled in a child care center or home-based care provider, make sure to review their sleep policy and ask to see where your child will take naps.

Other Information

Click the links below for more tips and information to keep sleep time safe.

• Dress your baby in appropriate sleep clothes
• Practice tummy time when your baby is awake