Department of Health
John J. Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, Commissioner

SIDS is a medical disorder that claims the lives of thousands of young children one week to one year of age. Once known as crib death, these infant deaths remain unexplained after all known causes have been ruled out through autopsy, death scene investigation and review of the medical history.  

SIDS can affect families of all races, religions and income levels. It strikes without warning and usually occurs during sleep. Its victims appear healthy. Neither parents nor doctors can tell which babies will die. SIDS is not caused by vomiting and choking, or minor illnesses such as colds or infections. The DTP vaccine and other immunizations do not cause SIDS.

• Over 1,000 infants have died from SIDS in the past ten years in Tennessee.
• Forty percent of all Tennessee SIDS deaths occur among African Americans. This rate is almost twice as high as it is for the rest of the state population.

• More children die of SIDS in a year than all children who die of cancer, heart disease, pneumonia, child abuse, AIDS, cystic fibrosis, and muscular dystrophy combined. (Source: SIDS Alliance)
• African American infants have a SIDS rate two times the national average. (Source: American Academy of Pediatrics)
• Over 2,000 fewer babies are dying each year simply because they sleep on their backs instead of their stomachs. (Source: American Academy of Pediatrics)

Additional Resources: SIDS Home Page

There currently is no way of predicting which babies will die from SIDS. However, there are some things you can do to lower the risk:

• Place healthy babies on their back to sleep. If your baby was born with a birth defect, often spits up after eating, or has a breathing, lung or heart problem, talk with your physician or nurse about the best sleep position. Remember some "tummy time" during waking hours is good for your baby.
• Create a smoke-free zone around your baby. This includes no smoking during your pregnancy.
• Do not let your baby get too hot. Keep the temperature in your baby’s room where it feels comfortable for you. Dress your baby in as much or as little as you would wear. Do not wrap your baby in a lot of clothes or blankets.
• Use firm, flat bedding. Do not use cushions, pillows, fluffy comforters or blankets, sofas, sheepskins, beanbags, waterbeds, or foam pads. Keep blankets, pillows, fluffy animals, etc. away from the babies face.
• Make sure everyone that cares for your baby (relatives, friends, babysitters, child care centers, etc.) know the steps listed above to reduce the risk of SIDS.
• Take good care of yourself while you are pregnant. See your doctor as soon as you know you are pregnant and don’t use drugs or alcohol. Make sure you eat a well balanced diet.
• Take your baby in for all well baby check-ups, routine immunizations and whenever the baby is ill.
• If possible, consider breastfeeding your baby. Breastfeeding helps to keep your baby healthy.
• SIDS deaths are higher in babies born to teenage mothers. Teenagers should take appropriate measures to reduce the risk of pregnancy.

The death of an infant is a traumatic event that affects the entire family for the rest of their lives. The impact of a SIDS death affects a myriad of people from parents, siblings, grandparents, extended family, babysitters, friends, and others. Be aware and sensitive to the feelings and needs of these people. Allow them to talk about the baby, what happened, their feelings and concerns. Support services and accurate information are needed to assist these people. Contact your local health department to obtain support services and SIDS information.