Rachel V Thomas

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Unsafe Sleep Factors Linked To 73% Of Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths In US: CDC

<span>Unsafe sleep factors</span>, including <span>soft bedding</span>, sharing a sleep surface with another person or animal, and sleeping on a surface other than a crib or bassinet, were identified in 73% of <span>sudden unexpected infant death</span> (SUID) cases in the US, according to a new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (<span>CDC</span>).

SUID includes <span>sudden infant death syndrome</span> (SIDS), accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed, and deaths from unknown causes. In 2024, SUID claimed the lives of about 3,400 babies in the US.

Even after decades of public health efforts to promote safer <span>sleep practices</span>, sleep-related deaths remain a major cause of infant mortality.

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/parenting/baby-dies-at-14-months-from-ultra-rare-disorder-affecting-just-50-people-worldwide-what-is-tbcd-leukodystrophy-article-156191440" data-type="tilCustomLink">Baby Dies At 14 Months From Ultra-Rare Disorder Affecting Just 50 People Worldwide: What Is TBCD Leukodystrophy?</a>

The report analyzed 4,861 SUID cases recorded between 2020 and 2024 across 31 US jurisdictions.

The CDC found that 73% of the deaths involved at least one unsafe sleep factor. These included:

<ul><li>78% involved soft bedding.</li><li>75% occurred on a sleep surface other than a crib or bassinet.</li><li>59% involved sharing a sleep surface with another person or animal.</li><li>46% of infants were found sleeping on their stomach or side rather than on their back.</li><li>28% had documented full airway obstruction involving the nose and mouth, neck, or chest.</li></ul>

These categories could overlap, meaning an infant could have had more than one unsafe sleep factor.

<h2>Most SUIDs Occurred In Young Infants</h2>

The CDC found that most deaths occurred among infants who were:

<ul><li>0–3 months old: 66%</li><li>Male: 57%</li><li>Black or African American: 38%</li><li>White: 37%</li><li>Born at 37 weeks or later: 74%</li><li>Insured by Medicaid: 69%</li></ul>

<h2>What Is A Safe Sleep Environment?</h2>

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/parenting/rare-pregnancy-infections-linked-to-3-fold-higher-autism-risk-what-is-torch-article-156211123" data-type="tilCustomLink">Rare Pregnancy Infections Linked To 3-Fold Higher Autism Risk: What Is TORCH?</a>

The American Academy of Pediatrics (<span>AAP</span>) recommends a safe sleep environment to reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths.

The AAP recommends placing babies on their backs to sleep, using a firm, non-inclined sleep surface, room-sharing without bed-sharing, and avoiding soft bedding and overheating.

It also recommends human milk feeding, avoiding exposure to nicotine, alcohol, marijuana, opioids, and illicit drugs, routine immunization, and pacifier use as measures associated with lower SIDS risk.

“Babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep. Tummy time is important for developing strength and motor skills, but it should take place only when the baby is awake and being actively supervised,” Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and clinical associate professor at George Washington University, was quoted as saying by CNN.

Once babies can roll from their backs to their stomachs and back again on their own, parents do not need to keep repositioning them during sleep. However, they should still place babies on their backs at the start of every sleep.

<h2>What Should Be In A Baby’s Crib?</h2>

Wen recommends that the crib should be empty or nearly empty. Parents should use a firm mattress covered with a fitted sheet and avoid pillows, blankets, quilts, bumper pads, and other soft objects.

If parents are concerned about the baby getting cold, they can use a wearable blanket or well-fitting sleep clothing instead of a loose blanket.

<h2>Room-Sharing Is Recommended, Not Bed-Sharing</h2>

The AAP recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing, ideally for at least the first six months.

This means keeping the baby’s crib or bassinet close to the parents’ bed for easier feeding and comforting, while ensuring the baby sleeps on a separate surface.

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sudden unexpected infant death

sudden infant death syndrome

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Unsafe sleep factors, including soft bedding, sharing a sleep surface with another person or animal, and sleeping on a surface other than a crib or bassinet, were identified in 73% of sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) cases in the US, according to a new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).SUID includes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed, and deaths from unknown causes. In 2024, SUID claimed the lives of about 3,400 babies in the US.Even after decades of public health efforts to promote safer sleep practices, sleep-related deaths remain a major cause of infant mortality.What Did The CDC Report Find?Also read: Baby Dies At 14 Months From Ultra-Rare Disorder Affecting Just 50 People Worldwide: What Is TBCD Leukodystrophy?The report analyzed 4,861 SUID cases recorded between 2020 and 2024 across 31 US jurisdictions.The CDC found that 73% of the deaths involved at least one unsafe sleep factor. These included:78% involved soft bedding.75% occurred on a sleep surface other than a crib or bassinet.59% involved sharing a sleep surface with another person or animal.46% of infants were found sleeping on their stomach or side rather than on their back.28% had documented full airway obstruction involving the nose and mouth, neck, or chest.These categories could overlap, meaning an infant could have had more than one unsafe sleep factor.Most SUIDs Occurred In Young InfantsThe CDC found that most deaths occurred among infants who were:0–3 months old: 66%Male: 57%Black or African American: 38%White: 37%Born at 37 weeks or later: 74%Insured by Medicaid: 69%What Is A Safe Sleep Environment?Read More: Rare Pregnancy Infections Linked To 3-Fold Higher Autism Risk: What Is TORCH?The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a safe sleep environment to reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths.The AAP recommends placing babies on their backs to sleep, using a firm, non-inclined sleep surface, room-sharing without bed-sharing, and avoiding soft bedding and overheating.It also recommends human milk feeding, avoiding exposure to nicotine, alcohol, marijuana, opioids, and illicit drugs, routine immunization, and pacifier use as measures associated with lower SIDS risk.“Babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep. Tummy time is important for developing strength and motor skills, but it should take place only when the baby is awake and being actively supervised,” Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and clinical associate professor at George Washington University, was quoted as saying by CNN.Once babies can roll from their backs to their stomachs and back again on their own, parents do not need to keep repositioning them during sleep. However, they should still place babies on their backs at the start of every sleep.What Should Be In A Baby’s Crib?Wen recommends that the crib should be empty or nearly empty. Parents should use a firm mattress covered with a fitted sheet and avoid pillows, blankets, quilts, bumper pads, and other soft objects.If parents are concerned about the baby getting cold, they can use a wearable blanket or well-fitting sleep clothing instead of a loose blanket.Room-Sharing Is Recommended, Not Bed-SharingThe AAP recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing, ideally for at least the first six months.This means keeping the baby’s crib or bassinet close to the parents’ bed for easier feeding and comforting, while ensuring the baby sleeps on a separate surface.

unsafe sleep factors linked to 73% of sudden unexpected infant deaths in us: cdc

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