In 2022, the U.S. recorded 1,529 SIDS deaths—about two in five sleep-related infant deaths in babies under 1.
Parents hear the term SIDS a lot in the first year. It stands for sudden infant death syndrome, a diagnosis used when a baby dies in sleep with no clear cause after a full investigation. SIDS is one part of a larger group called sudden unexpected infant deaths, or SUID. That group also includes deaths labeled unknown cause and accidental suffocation in bed during sleep in unsafe settings too.
So how common is SIDS in newborns and young infants today? The short answer: rare, yet not rare enough. Public health campaigns cut the toll after the 1990s, and most babies grow and thrive. Even so, hundreds of families still face this loss each year, which is why clear numbers and simple, proven habits matter.
How Common Is SIDS In Infants: Current Rates
The latest national counts help set the picture. In 2022, the United States logged about 3,700 sleep-related infant deaths under the SUID umbrella. Of those, 1,529 were certified as SIDS, 1,131 as unknown cause, and 1,040 as accidental suffocation in bed. That breakdown means SIDS made up around forty-one percent of all SUID cases that year. See CDC data for SUID and SIDS.
Think of SUID as the full pie and SIDS as a large slice. The labels can change over time as investigations improve or as policies shift on how coroners certify a case. That is one reason you may see SIDS counts move up or down while the total SUID count stays in the same range.
| Category | U.S. Deaths (2022) | Share Of SUID |
|---|---|---|
| All SUID (under 1 year) | 3,700 | 100% |
| SIDS | 1,529 | 41% |
| Unknown cause | 1,131 | 31% |
| Accidental suffocation in bed | 1,040 | 28% |
Note: Counts reflect U.S. death certificates for infants under 12 months. Shares may not total due to rounding.
When Is SIDS Most Likely
Risk is highest in early infancy. Most cases happen between 1 and 4 months, and more than nine in ten occur before 6 months. The curve then drops through the rest of the first year.
That early-month peak often overlaps with the first series of routine shots at 2 and 4 months, which can worry some families. Large studies show vaccines do not cause SIDS. In fact, staying on schedule is linked with lower risk, likely by preventing infections that stress young lungs and sleep patterns.
Trends You Should Know
SUID rates plunged in the 1990s after wide use of back-to-sleep messaging. Since then the drop has slowed. The mix of labels within SUID also shifts, with a larger share now assigned to unknown cause or suffocation in bed in many regions. The shared goal stays the same: make every sleep space safer and keep babies on their backs on a flat, bare surface.
Ways To Lower Risk At Home
Caregivers cannot control every factor, yet daily habits make a clear difference. The AAP safe sleep recommendations lay out a simple set you can follow from day one:
- Back for every sleep. Naps and nights.
- Use a firm, flat, safety-approved crib, bassinet, or play yard with a fitted sheet only.
- Share a room for at least the first 6 months. Keep baby on a separate surface; no bed-sharing.
- Keep soft items out of the sleep area. No pillows, quilts, comforters, bumpers, wedges, or positioners.
- Keep the sleep space smoke-free. Avoid nicotine during and after pregnancy.
- Feed human milk when possible.
- Offer a pacifier for sleep once feeding is settled.
- Dress in light layers or use a wearable blanket.
- Stay current with routine shots.
- Give supervised tummy time when baby is awake to build strength.
Quick Safe Sleep Checklist
| Item | What To Do | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep position | Place baby on the back for every sleep. | Use the same rule for naps and nights. |
| Sleep surface | Choose a flat, firm mattress in a safety-approved crib or bassinet. | Inclined sleepers and couches are not safe for sleep. |
| Bedding | Keep the crib bare aside from a fitted sheet. | Remove pillows, bumpers, quilts, toys, and loose blankets. |
| Room setup | Share a room, not a bed, for the first months. | Place the crib within reach of your bed. |
| Feeding | Provide human milk when you can. | Paced bottle feeding works for pumped milk too. |
| Pacifier | Offer at sleep time once feeding is going well. | Skip clips or cords in the crib. |
| Air quality | Keep smoke and vaping away from baby and the home. | Ask visitors to avoid smoking before visits. |
| Temperature | Dress light and keep the room comfortable. | Wearable blankets can replace loose covers. |
Answers To Common Concerns
Do wearable monitors prevent SIDS? No. Consumer heart and oxygen trackers can alert you to trends, but they do not prevent a sudden event and are not cleared for that use.
Is tummy sleep ever okay? Only while awake with an adult watching. For sleep, back is best until the first birthday. Once a baby can roll both ways on their own, keep the crib clear and place them down on the back; let them find their spot.
What about swaddling? You can swaddle snug at the chest with hips free, then stop once rolling starts. Never place a swaddled baby down on the side or the belly.
What ‘Newborn’ Means In This Topic
Clinicians use the word newborn for the first 28 days after birth. Many parents also stretch that label through the first 8 weeks. SIDS can be diagnosed any time in the first year, yet cases in the first month are uncommon. In those earliest weeks, other medical problems account for most infant deaths.
That framing helps answer the headline question. Among newborns, SIDS is rare. The risk rises as babies move into month one and month two, then eases across the back half of the year. Safe sleep steps still start from day one so good habits are in place before that early-infant peak.
Why Case Labels Can Differ
After any sudden death in an infant, investigators look at three pillars: a full autopsy, a careful review of the clinical history, and a scene investigation. If no cause is found and the sleep setting looked safe, a medical examiner may use the SIDS label. If the sleep setting had hazards, the death may be assigned to suffocation in bed. When the information is incomplete or the findings are mixed, the certificate may read unknown cause.
These decisions can vary by state and by office. That is one reason public dashboards show different mixes of SIDS, unknown cause, and suffocation. The safest course at home is the same across labels: keep the sleep area simple, flat, and free of soft items.
Crib Setup That Works Night After Night
A tidy crib is easier to keep safe. Before bedtime, do a 10-second sweep. Check that the sheet is tight, the mattress is flat and firm, and there is nothing else in the space. Use a wearable blanket if the room feels cool.
If your baby dozes off in a carrier, swing, stroller, or car seat, finish the errand and then move them to a flat surface. That simple transfer turns a risky nap into a safer one. Set a quiet reminder on your phone so the move happens even when the house is busy.
Visitors, Travel, And Busy Days
New babies draw a crowd. Friends and relatives love to help and hold. Give each helper the one-minute tour of your sleep setup and the crib rules.
Travel adds chaos. Pack a compact, flat sleep surface if you will stay overnight. Clip a short checklist to the diaper bag: fitted sheet, wearable blanket, pacifier, and a clean onesie. A small lamp or night light helps with late feeds without waking the room.
Myths That Can Trip You Up
“My baby hates the crib.” Many babies fuss when the setting changes. Practice helps. Try a short crib nap during the day with white noise and a pacifier.
“Side sleeping is safer.” Side placement is unstable and often rolls into belly sleep. Back is safer and easier to keep consistent.
“I need a pillow to keep the head round.” Flat spots come from pressure, not from the lack of a pillow. Rotate head position, do tummy time, and hold your baby upright during awake windows.
“A monitor will save my baby.” Wearable trackers and smart socks can alert you to trends, but they are not medical devices for preventing SIDS. Rely on a safe sleep space instead.
Daily Care Notes
Consistency helps. Caregivers, grandparents, sitters, and daycare teams should all use the same setup and the same rules. Post a one-page sleep plan near the crib so anyone stepping in can follow along.
Plan for the hard nights. If you worry you may doze while feeding, set up the bedroom so feeds happen near the crib instead of on a sofa or deep chair. That way, if you drift off, baby has a safer spot.
Keep a simple packing list for visits and trips: fitted sheet, wearable blanket, pacifier, and a portable, flat sleep surface that meets safety standards. Skip cushioned nests, hammocks, and inclined rockers.
Finally, be kind to yourself. Caring for a newborn is work. Small steps add up, and your calm routine helps your baby sleep better over time each day.