What is SIDS? Signs and Symptoms of SIDS Sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, is an unexplainable sudden death in babies under 1 year of age. SIDS is the diagnosis given when there is no other reasonable explanation for the death of the baby and all other potential causes have been eliminated as a potential cause of death (Boston Hospital, n.d.). There are no signs, symptoms, or warning signs of SIDS. Babies most often are found in the same position that the parent or guardian left them in to sleep. SIDS occurs to healthy babies and thus why it is unexpected and not 100% preventable. Who is at risk for SIDS?     Mother being younger than 20 at time of pregnancy Maternal smoking Illicit drug use Alcohol use Inadequate or no prenatal care (Mayo Clinic, 2020) Some infant risk factors placing the infant at greater risk for SIDS include;      Age – infants from 2-4 months old are most vulnerable to SIDS Babies who sleep on their stomachs Premature or LBW babies Soft sleeping surfaces Toys/blankets in the crib The ways you can prevent SIDS after delivery of the infant include;      Some maternal risk factors that place the baby at risk for SIDS include;  How to prevent SIDS  Place baby on his/her back to sleep Use a firm mattress to sleep on Breastfeed Share room with baby for the 1st 6 months Do not put objects in crib like toys or blankets Avoid letting baby get too hot during sleep (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.) (Wikipedia, 2021) Prevention Claims Some products such as baby monitors that monitor the infant’s oxygen, pillow wedges, and positioners to keep the infant from rolling claim that they prevent SIDS. These are false claims. The pillow wedges, positioners, and baby monitors should not be used (FDA, n.d.). The ways mother can prevent SIDS while pregnant include;     Avoid alcohol use Avoid drug use Avoid smoking and/or being around those who smoke Get prenatal care (Boston Hospital, n.d.)