SUID/SIDS Gateway

For Families

Resources to help families keep their infant safe and reduce the risk of sudden infant death.

Helping Families after an infant has died.

Infant Mortality and Pregnancy Loss: Resources for Families. 2014. (MCH Digital Library)
Books for Children on Dealing with Death. (2013) Resource Center. This bibliography is intended to help parents or caregivers navigate children's questions that are likely to come up after the death of a younger sibling from sudden infant death.
After Sudden Infant Death: Facing Anniversaries, Holidays and Special Events. (2005). Resource Center. Information and strategies for grieving parents as they approach special family gatherings and holidays.
The Death of a Child, the Grief of the Parents: A Lifetime Journey. (2011). Resource Center. This PDF booklet is a resource on the process of grief, describing bereavement as a set of tasks for the bereaved. Topics covered include factors that may interfere with the grief process, sudden infant death syndrome, fathers, families needing additional support, non-traditional families, ways to comfort a grieving parent, ways that help parents cope and heal, and recommended resources.
The Grieving Child: Helping Children Cope When an Infant Dies. (2011). Resource Center. This PDF booklet is a resource on common reactions that children of different ages exhibit when an infant dies and how to help these children.

Safe to Sleep Campaign

Safe to Sleep Public Education Campaign. Brochures and other items for families in English and Spanish.

New and Expectant Parents. Information about the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy; time spent at the hospital after delivery; months 1–6 of the baby’s life and beyond; SIDS facts; stillbirth facts and questions and answers; and bedtime basics for babies. Links and resources for more information are provided.
Grieving Families. Information about surviving stillbirth or the sudden death of an infant; grief resources; resources for children, grandparents, and friends and relatives; memorial opportunities. Grief counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 1-800-221-7437.

Safe Sleep Practices includes guidelines on safe sleeping environments for infants and links to related resources to help parents keep their babies healthy and safe.