Parents can take other steps to help reduce their baby’s risk of SIDS. The AAP recommends breastfeeding for as long as possible. Keep your baby away from smoke and smokers. Avoid drugs and alcohol and go to all prenatal doctor appointments. After the baby is born, make sure to take him or her to all well-child visits and discuss a vaccine schedule with your family doctor. There is no proof that products like special mattresses that claim to prevent SIDS actually work. Unfortunately, these products may actually be a risk. In some instances, babies have suffocated from them. Supervised “tummy-time” when your baby is awake helps strengthen the muscles in the baby’s neck — potentially reducing SIDS risk.
