Prevention of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS, ICD 10: R95) S1 guidelines, AWMF nr. 063-002, status November 2022; compiled by the German Sleep Society (DGSM), Society for Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care Medicine (GNPI), German Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ), German Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG), German Society for Perinatal Medicine (DGPM), Joint Parent Initiative Sudden Infant Death (GEPS), State Associations Baden-Wurttemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland

The dramatic decrease in the rates of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) seen in recent years has largely occurred through the dissemination of advice on a safe sleeping environment for infants. This advice, however, needs updating at regular intervals. The pediatric working group of the German Sleep Society has therefore updated its guideline on SIDS prevention, now issuing the following recommendations, which should be made available to all parents of infants: 1. Place your baby on its back to sleep using a firm and horizontal surface; 2. During the day, and only as long as your baby is awake and you can observe it, you should place your baby regularly on its stomach for short periods of time; 3. Avoid overheating: during the night a room temperature of 18 & DEG;C is optimal; 4. Instead of a blanket we recommend using a sleeping bag of an age-appropriate size; if you do not want to use a sleeping bag, make sure that your baby's head cannot slip under the blanket by placing it in the bed so that the feet are touching the footboard; 5. Refrain from using pillows, furs, "nests, " padded baby bumpers and larger stuffed animals that your baby could use to cover itself; 6. Do not swaddle your baby for sleep; 7. Let your baby sleep in your room but in its own crib; 8. Ensure a smoke-free environment for your child during and after pregnancy; 9. Breastfeed for the 1st year of life, ideally for at least 4-6 months; 10. Offer your baby a pacifier at bedtime (once breastfeeding has been firmly established).These recommendations also apply to the period immediately after birth: if your baby is lying on your breast make sure that it always has a clear airway.