"There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart" - Mahatma Gandhi

The Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Program ensures coordination, mandated follow-up and reconciliation of all reported SIDS cases with Public Health Nursing in Santa Cruz County.

Public Health Nurses provide bereavement support, information, resources, and follow-up services to assist families and caregivers who have experienced the loss of an infant from SIDS or Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), all in accordance with the State of California Health and Safety Code, Chapter 268, Statutes of 1991.

If you have questions or need more information about the SIDS program, call (888) 598-0728.

SIDS and SUID Defined

Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) is the death of an infant younger than one year of age that occurs suddenly and unexpectedly, and in which the manner and cause of death are not immediately obvious prior to investigation. 

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a type of Sudden Infant Death. SIDS is the sudden death of an infant younger than one year of age that cannot be explained even after a full investigation that includes a complete autopsy, examination of the death scene and review of the clinical history. 

Facts About SIDS/SUID

  • SUID deaths include SIDS, other deaths from unknown causes and accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed.
  • Each year, there are about 3,600 sudden unexpected infant deaths in the United States. This translates to 10 deaths per day or one death every 2-3 hours.
  • SIDS is the leading cause of death among babies between one month and one year of age.
  • Most SIDS deaths happen between one month and four months of age, and the majority (90% of SIDS deaths happen before a baby reaches six months of age. However, SIDS deaths can happen anytime during a baby’s first year.
  • SIDS is not the result of neglect or child abuse.
  • SIDS is not caused by vaccines, immunizations, or shots.
  • There is no known way to prevent SIDS, but there are effective ways to reduce the risk of SIDS.

Resources for Families and Caregivers

Reduce your baby’s risk of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of death:

  • Always place your baby on their back to sleep for naps and at night. 
  • Breastfeed your baby if you are able.
  • Do not smoke or allow others to smoke around you while you are pregnant.
  • Do not smoke or allow others to smoke around your baby.
  • Consider giving your baby a pacifier at sleep time - be sure to not attach the pacifier to string, clothing, toys or blankets.
  • Share your room with your baby for the first six months to year of their life - be sure that your baby is close to your bed but on an appropriate sleep surface designed for infants.
  • ONLY use a sitting device for its intended purpose.
  • Create a safe sleep environment: Ways to Reduce the Risk of SIDS and Other Sleep-related Causes of Infant Death
  • Try out the Interactive Safe Sleep Environment Tool and learn how you can help reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of infant death.

When speaking to anyone who takes care of your baby, including grandparents, babysitters and childcare providers, older siblings, and others:

  • Be very specific that you want your baby placed on their “back to sleep”.
  • Put your instructions in writing and give it to your childcare providers.
  • If you have in-home childcare, post sleep instructions over your baby's crib.
  • Be sure that your childcare providers understand current safe sleep guidelines. See informational brochures below. 
  • Refer childcare providers to this or other reputable websites for more information about reducing the risk of SIDS.
  • Be sure to share informational brochures and videos with anyone who will be caring for your infant.

Sitting and Carrying Devices

  • Sitting and carrying devices, such as car seats, strollers, infant seats, bouncers, and swings are designed primarily for the transporting, feeding, and play of infants and young children.
  • Use sitting devices for their intended purpose only and not as sleeping surfaces. Approximately 3% of SIDS deaths occur in sitting devices.
  • Infant deaths in sitting devices are more likely to occur while in supervision of a childcare provider or babysitter, as compared to a parent.

Creating a Safe Sleep Environment

Use a crib, bassinet, or portable crib with a firm, flat mattress that meets the safety standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Learn more about crib safety or contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission at 1-800-638-2772.


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Try out the Interactive Safe Sleep Environment Tool and learn how you can help reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of infant death.

Safe Sleep Videos

Resources for Health and Child Care Professionals

Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2022 Recommendations for Reducing Infant Deaths in the Sleep Environment

Childcare Providers

The risk of SIDS increases when an infant is in childcare and daycare settings. Childcare professionals who care for newborns and infants play a critical role in the effort to reduce SIDS.

If you are a childcare provider:

  • Become familiar with current updated recommendations for a safe infant sleeping environment from the American Academy of Pediatrics found below.
  • For more information, please review the information provided below for healthcare providers and the California Department of Social Services Safe Sleep in Child Care, or contact your licensing body for more information.

Health Care Providers

Health and Safety Code 1254.6 letter to hospitals and licensed mid-wives from CDPH 10/2020
Outlines requirement for all hospitals in California to provide Sudden Unexplained Infant Death (SUID)/Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) risk reduction information to all parents or guardians of newborns. The letter introduces the Infant Safe Sleep Strategies, a five-point approach to guide educational and training materials for public health professionals.

"Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Safe Infant Sleep"
Article by Thomas G. Keens, MD and Penny F. Stastny, BSN, RN, PHN. Discusses the medical mystery of SIDS, current safe infant sleep recommendations, and the impact of a SIDS death on the family including grief and guilt.