WHEREAS, During the month of October, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month is observed to encourage parents to increase their awareness of SIDS, the sudden death of an infant younger than one year of age that cannot be explained even after a full investigation that includes a complete autopsy, examination of the death scene, and review of the clinical history; and

WHEREAS, Each year in the United States, approximately 3,400 babies die suddenly and unexpectedly. These unexpected deaths fall under an umbrella term known as Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID); and

WHEREAS, SIDS makes up one-half of all SUID cases; and

WHEREAS, SIDS is the leading cause of death among babies between one month and one year of age; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 1,389 deaths in the United States were due to SIDS in 2020; and

WHEREAS, While trends in deaths from SUID and SIDS have been on a downward trajectory since 1990, parents must remain vigilant by creating an environment that reduces the likelihood of these events occurring; and

WHEREAS, Parents can do their part in prevention by implementing safe sleep methods for their babies; and

WHEREAS, Safe sleep means putting the baby to sleep in ways that can help protect them from dangers such as choking, suffocation, and SIDS; and

WHEREAS, Parents should put their baby to sleep on its back on a flat, firm surface until they are one year of age; and

WHEREAS, Parents should put their baby to sleep in their own crib or bassinet; and

WHEREAS, Parents should dress their baby in light sleep clothes, not cover the baby’s head, and remove any strings or ties; and

WHEREAS, Swaddling is when you wrap a light blanket around your baby so that it covers most of their body below the neck; and

WHEREAS, It is safe to swaddle your baby for sleep until they can roll over onto their tummy. But once they can roll over, stop swaddling. A swaddled baby who is placed on, or rolls onto, their tummy while sleeping may be more likely to experience SIDS; and

WHEREAS, Parents may give their baby a pacifier as it may help protect against SIDS. If you are breastfeeding, wait until your baby is three to four weeks of age or until they are used to breastfeeding before giving a pacifier. If your baby will not take a pacifier, do not force it. It is OK if the pacifier falls out of your baby’s mouth during sleep. Do not hang the pacifier around your baby’s neck or attach the pacifier to your baby’s clothing or a stuffed animal. Give your baby a pacifier for naps and at bedtime; and

WHEREAS, Parents should ensure their baby gets all their vaccinations; and

WHEREAS, Parents must not smoke and should keep their baby away from other smokers and secondhand smoke because babies who live with smokers are at increased risk of SIDS; and

WHEREAS, Parents should not drink alcohol or use harmful drugs during pregnancy. Babies of mothers who do these things are at increased risk of SIDS; and

WHEREAS, Mothers should go to all prenatal care checkups during pregnancy. Babies of mothers who do not get regular prenatal care are at increased risk of SIDS; and

WHEREAS, Parents should not use sleep positioners, like nests or antiroll pillows. They can cause the baby to stop breathing; and

WHEREAS, Parents should keep crib bumpers, loose bedding, toys, and other soft objects out of the baby’s crib; and

WHEREAS, President Biden signed the federal Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-126) into law, which prohibits the manufacture and sale of crib bumpers or inclined sleepers for infants; and

WHEREAS, If parents follow these simple suggestions, they can increase the likelihood that their newborn will avoid instances of SIDS or SUID, and continue on with their life; now, therefore, be it