Reducing the risk of SIDS

October is national SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome awareness month. But because of a national "Back to sleep campaign" every year fewer babies are dying around the country.

FOX 35 Good Day talked to Lisa Boger, a mom who lost her baby to SIDS a few years ago, and Florida Hospital Pediatrician Dr. Akinyemi Ajayi.

Here are 10 ways that you and others who care for your baby can reduce the risk of SIDS:
1. Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, for naps and at night.
2. Place your baby on a firm sleep surface, such as on a safety-approved crib mattress, covered by a fitted sheet.
3. Keep soft objects, toys, and loose bedding out of your baby's sleep area.
4. Do not allow smoking around your baby.
5. Keep your baby's sleep area close to, but separate from, where you and others sleep.
6. Think about using a clean, dry pacifier when placing the infant down to sleep, but don't force the baby to take it.
7. Do not let your baby overheat during sleep.
8. Avoid products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS.
9. Do not use home monitors to reduce the risk of SIDS.
10. Reduce the chance that flat spots will develop on your baby's head.

For more information:

www.jacobboger.org

www.sids.org

www.floridahospital.com