Preventing SIDS

I've just learned this morning of the death of a 15 month old boy from SIDS. This scared me, as I thought the risks basically went away at a year- so I started reading. As it turns out, there is a lot I didn't know.
SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is every parent's worse nightmare. There are certain steps the AAP suggests to help prevent SIDS. Please read and follow the guidelines here and those given to you by your local hospital and/or pediatrician.
And hug your baby. Tonight, someone else doesn't get to.

SIDS is the leading cause of death for babies 1-12 months old.

The peak age for SIDS death is 2 -4 months old; 90% occur between 1 – 6 months.

SIDS is more likely to occur in the winter months (October – April).

Unaccustomed stomach sleeping increases the risk by 18 – 20 times.

It can be difficult to distinguish between SIDS and unintentional suffocation.

Research shows that breastfeeding is protective against SIDS

SIDS is not caused by immunizations. In fact, if a baby is immunized there is a50% decreased risk for SIDS.

SIDS is not the same thing as suffocation.

SIDS is not caused by vomiting or choking.

http://dhhs.ne.gov/publichealth/Pages/sids_facts.aspx

http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/Preventing-SIDS.aspx?nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&nfstatusdescription=ERROR%3a+No+local+token

http://www.sidscenter.org/Statistics.html

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sudden-infant-death-syndrome/DS00145

This site goes over SUD or Sudden Unexplained death, which is what they call it over 12 months.

http://sids-network.org/experts/older.htm