SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) is the death of an apparently healthy infant under 1 year of age (usually 6 months or younger) for which no cause can be found. Although there is no way to predict or prevent SIDS, you can substantially reduce your child's risk by always placing him or her to sleep on his or her back instead of the stomach. It's OK to place your child on his or her back even after a feeding. This will not increase the risk of the baby breathing in spit-up food. Placing your baby on his or her side to sleep is also safer than sleeping on the stomach. Bring the baby's arm that is on the mattress forward so he or she won't roll over onto the stomach.

Until your child is about 6 months old, alternate between placing him or her on the back or on either side, because lying in one position can temporarily flatten part of your child's head. When awake, your baby can lay tummy down frequently, which helps him or her strengthen the arms and learn how to raise the head. When your baby learns how to roll over, put him or her to sleep on the back or side, but don't worry if he or she changes position. The risk of SIDS decreases at this stage.

Other measures that can help reduce the risk of SIDS include breast-feeding your baby, providing a firm mattress, keeping pillows and soft toys out of the crib, and keeping him or her away from secondhand smoke. Don't put your baby to bed on a beanbag chair or waterbed and never use plastic top sheets.

Babies can't regulate their body temperature as efficiently as adults and get overheated when they are dressed too warmly or swaddled in a blanket. Overheating may be another risk factor for SIDS, so avoid swaddling your baby in a blanket when you put him or her to bed; put on clothing that is appropriate for the temperature and cover him or her loosely.

There are some exceptions to the rule on sleep positions. Some babies, such as those who have gastro esophageal reflux or an upper respiratory condition that raises the risk of airway obstruction, should be put to sleep on their side. You should elevate the head of the bed by placing a pillow under the mattress; this helps to decrease reflux and helps a baby with an upper respiratory condition to handle his or her secretions. If your child has a medical condition, ask your doctor which sleep position you should use.

There are many safe sleeping positions for your baby. Sleeping on the back can significantly reduce your child's risk of dying of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The second safest position is on the side and the least safe is on the stomach. But give your baby plenty of "tummy time" on a blanket on the floor during the day, when you can watch him or her closely. He or she can learn to push with the arms from this position.