What is a key preventive measure to reduce SIDS risk in infants?

• A. Place infants on their backs on a firm sleep surface, room-share but not bed-share, avoid soft bedding
• B. Put infants to sleep on their stomachs on a soft surface
• C. Have infants sleep in bed with parents
• D. Use pillows and loose blankets for comfort

Answer: (A)

The key to reducing SIDS risk is adopting safe sleep practices for every infant. The best approach is to place the baby on their back for every sleep, on a firm, flat sleep surface, with no soft bedding, pillows, or loose blankets. Room-sharing without bed-sharing is recommended so that caregivers can monitor the infant, but the baby sleeps on their own sleep surface nearby.

Back sleeping helps keep the airway open and reduces the risk of rebreathing exhaled air. A firm surface prevents sinking into materials that could cause suffocation, and avoiding soft bedding or loose items eliminates common obstructions and entanglement hazards. Room-sharing supports supervision without the hazards that come with bed-sharing, such as suffocation or overlay.

Sleeping on the stomach on a soft surface increases SIDS risk due to airway obstruction and rebreathing. Bed-sharing with parents or using pillows and loose blankets also adds safety hazards, which is why those options are not recommended.