SIDS stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. It occurs all too often and is devestating. The age ranges from birth to 6 months. Unfortunately, though there are ideas, the cause is still unknown. The most persistant theory suggests a defect in the area of the brain that controls the child's breathing.
Experts recommend laying babies on their back or side.
However lying a baby on their back unattended, the child could spit up or vomit and inhale that into their lungs, so it is still the best idea to lie the baby on their side, propped up with a firm pillow or tightly rolled blanket. Big pillows and loose blankets are dangerous, as are these beanbags pillows for babies that came out a while back and were recalled. With all of these, the baby can suffocate. It may be possible to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. It occurs all too often and is devastating.