The document discusses Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), defining it as the unexpected death of a child under one year old, often occurring during sleep. It outlines various causes, including sleep environment factors and medical conditions, as well as symptoms that infants may show, though often none are present. Finally, it provides advice on minimizing the risk of SIDS, such as placing infants on their backs to sleep and breastfeeding.

1. Poppy Victoria Burford
Tuesday 17th May 2022
Apprentice nursery practitioner
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Sudden infant
death
syndrome
(SIDS)

2. Contents
01 What is SIDS?
02 What are the causes of SIDS?
03 Symptoms of SIDS
04 Help and advice on SIDS
05 Minimizing the risk of SIDS
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3. 01
What is SIDS?
Sudden infant death syndrome
(SIDS) is the occurrence of a
sudden, or unexpected death of a
child under the age of one.
It can sometimes also be referred to
as ‘cot death’ due to the fact that a
lot of babies will unfortunately pass
away once placed into their cots,
with no explanation.
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4. 02
What are the
causes of SIDS?

5. Causes of sudden infant death syndrome.
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A combination of physical and sleep related factors can work towards making an infant more
vulnerable to having SIDS, however, these factors are very individual and vary for every infant.
Physical factors associated with SIDS Sleep environment factors associated with
SIDS
Brain defects: children who are born with brain defects or
complications are more likely to die of SIDS. In most of these
cases it is due to the brain not developing properly in the area
that is in charge of controlling breathing in sleep, causing
sudden infant death.
Sleeping on their stomach or side: Babies will have more
difficulty breathing sleeping on their stomach or side as their
lungs are being leant on. This could cause an infant to be
unable to breathe causing SIDS or as its also known as ‘cot
death’.
Low weight at birth: When a child is premature at birth they are
more likely to have SIDS. It is more likely that a child who is
premature hasn’t properly developed yet, meaning there could
be complications, such as SIDS.
Sleeping on a soft/fluffy surface: An infant laying face down on a
soft or fluffy surface could be suffocated by the surface due to
the fact that it could be blocking their airways.
Respiratory infections: Many babies who die of SIDS have been
proven to of recently suffered from a cold or an illness that
effects their respiratory system, causing SIDS as they're unable
to breathe efficiently.
Overheating whilst sleeping: Babies are unable to regulate their
body temperatures meaning adults have to do it for them,
however babies can sometimes overheat in their sleep which
could cause SIDS.

6. SIDS Statistics 1990-2017
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7. 03
Symptoms of SIDS
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A lot of infants rarely show symptoms of
SIDS, the usual way that it occurs is that
a child is fit and healthy before being put
down to bed, they may have a slight
struggle but nothing very noticeable, and
in most cases the child is found in the
same position that they were placed down
in the bed in. Slight symptom may be
unusual noises over the monitor or
coming from the child, seeming
uncomfortable or fidgeting and breathing
difficulties. However in most cases there
are NO warning signs.

8. 04
Help and advice on
SIDS

9. Where to get help and advice on SIDS.
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Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
The LullabyTrust provides advice and support for bereaved families. Specially trained
advisers are available on its helpline – the number is 0808 802 6868 and it's open
Monday to Friday (10am to 5pm), and at weekends and public holidays (6pm to 10pm).
You can also email support@lullabytrust.org.uk or visit the LullabyTrust website for
further information and support.
Shaken baby task force
Call the 24-hour crying baby
helpline at 866-243-2229 (BABY)

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Minimising the risk
of SIDS

11. How to minimize the risk
of SIDS
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There are multiple ways of preventing/minimising the risk of SIDS in infants, here
are some examples:
o Putting new-borns to sleep on their back – this reduces the risk of suffocation and
opens the airways more,
o Breastfeeding (if you can) – gives children the nutrients that they need to develop
efficiently, reduced the risk of complications,
o Immunisation – reduces the risk of infection or illnesses that could potentially
cause respiratory problems and being unable to breathe,
o Educating people on the ‘safe to sleep campaign’ – ensuring all caregivers of
children place children on their back to sleep to reduce the risk of suffocation.
Explore the Campaign | Safe to Sleep (nih.gov)