Pasadena Public Health Recognizes SIDS Awareness Month in October with Safe Sleep Tips

PASADENA, Calif.- The Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) recognizes Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month in October and reminds the public to follow safe sleep practices for infants. A safe sleep environment can reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of infant death.

SIDS is the sudden, unexpected death of an infant under one year of age that does not have a known cause. Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) includes SIDS, accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed, and other infant deaths from unknown causes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 3,400 sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID) in the United States in 2024. Over the last ten years, there have been eight SUIDS in Pasadena. SUID remains the leading cause of death for babies 1 to 12 months of age.

Follow the ABC's of Safe Sleep to reduce the risk of SIDS:

1. Alone: Babies should sleep alone in their own crib in the same room where the parents or caregivers sleep. Keep the crib clear of soft or loose items such as pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals.
2. Back: Always place babies on their back for EVERY sleep (including naps).
3. Crib: Babies should sleep on a firm, flat, and level surface such as a crib or sleep bassinet covered only by a fitted sheet. Avoid bed sharing and NEVER use a sofa or armchair.

PPHD offers resources and support for families to learn safe sleep practices. Pregnant individuals and parents of infants are eligible to participate in PPHD's Safe Sleep Education Program, launched in partnership with Cribs for Kids and the Pasadena Child Health Foundation. Upon completion of a virtual, 45-minute safe sleep education course, participants receive free safe sleep items, including swaddles, wearable blankets, onesies, and educational booklets. To register and learn more about safe sleep, contact the Public Health Department's Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Family Resource Line at 800-304-0015, email [email protected], or complete the interest & eligibility form at bit.ly/SafeSleepForm.

To learn more about the Safe to Sleep campaign, visit the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development's Safe Sleep website. To learn more about safe sleep recommendations, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Safe Sleep Recommendations website.