Safe Sleep & SUID
Every 3 Days in Illinois, an Infant Dies While Sleeping
Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) is the leading cause of death for infants once they are home from the hospital. Nearly all of these tragedies happen during sleep. At least one in four deaths are found to be caused by accidental suffocation, and most deaths occur in sleep environments that have suffocation hazards - in beds or couches; with pillows, blankets or other soft bedding; while sleeping with other adults or children (bedsharing); or while side or stomach sleeping.
Understanding the circumstances surrounding sleep-related infant deaths provides insight into effective prevention strategies. Here are links to local and national SUID data:
Promotion and Education on Safe Sleep & SUID
Using Early Visits to Reinforce Safe Sleep
The newborn, 1-month, 2-month, and 4-month well visits are prime opportunities for pediatricians to help families build safe sleep habits. These early months are when parents are most open to guidance and when routines are still forming. By rethinking how much of these visits are devoted to discussing safe sleep environments, positioning, and addressing common challenges, you can make a meaningful, concrete change that helps reduce sleep-related infant deaths and supports families in creating safe, healthy sleep routines.
AAP's SUID Prevention Program Webinars Contact AAP's SUID Program
Use any opportunity to counsel parents on preventing suffocation.
Resources For Families
To help protect our infants, families and communities.
- Safe sleep video - a powerful voice for prevention
- Safe to Sleep - Digital and print materials, social media images
- Healthychildren.org - Reduce the Risk of SIDS & Suffocation
- AAP's Safe sleep campaign toolkit homepage - Social media, videos, printable posters, and more
- Illinois safe sleep support - Infant safe sleep resources
- Charlie's Kids - Lifesaving tools to ensure every infant wakes up from every sleep
- Planning Ahead for Safe Sleep: information on planning ahead for when caretakers are tired and caring for their baby from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Infant Safe Sleep Program
Dr. Gina Lowell and Dr. Kyran Quinlan joined the Chicago Department of Public Health's Healthy Chicago podcast for a discussion on safe sleep, what they’ve witnessed firsthand, the challenges families face, and how communities can provide meaningful support during one of the most vulnerable times in a child’s life. Listen and watch now and learn how we can all help keep babies safe: