CHENANGO COUNTY - Every parent wants to keep their baby safe. But sudden unexplained infant death (SUID) is the leading cause of death for babies between 1 and 12 months old. SUID is a broad term that includes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and accidental suffocation.

While SIDS itself cannot be prevented, parents and caregivers can greatly lower the risk by following safe sleep practices.

September is both Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month and National Baby Safety Month, campaigns focused on preventing infant sleep-related deaths and overall child injury.

Safe sleep is a challenge, especially with a tired baby and exhausted parents. Taking a few simple steps to ensure infants are sleeping safely could save a life. Babies should be placed on their backs to sleep. Once they are old enough to roll over, it’s not necessary to reposition them, but they should always start on their back. Babies should be placed on a firm, flat sleep surface with no soft bedding, pillows, or toys.