What is a recommended practice to prevent sudden infant syndrome (SIDS) in a 1-month-old infant?

The recommendation to place the infant on their back to sleep is crucial in preventing sudden infant syndrome (SIDS). Research has consistently shown that placing infants in a supine position significantly reduces the risk of SIDS. The back-sleeping position helps to maintain an open airway for the infant while allowing for a more stable heart rate and breathing pattern during sleep.

When infants sleep on their stomachs, they may have an increased risk of re-breathing exhaled air, which can lead to respiratory distress or oxygen deprivation. Additionally, soft bedding materials and overheating are both risk factors associated with SIDS, as they can contribute to an unsafe sleep environment and compromise the infant’s ability to regulate their temperature and breathe easily.

By placing infants on their backs for all sleep times—naps as well as overnight sleep—parents and caregivers can help create a safer sleeping environment, thus minimizing the likelihood of SIDS occurrences during the first year of life.