When asked, most new parents can identify several issues that worry them upon bringing a new baby home. At the top of the list is sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which is the diagnosis given for the sudden and unexplained death of an infant younger than 1 year of age. The causes of SIDS are still unclear, and it is not currently possible to predict which infants might fall victim to SIDS.

According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), studies have found defects in some SIDS infants in a region of the brain that may control sensing of carbon dioxide, breathing and arousal during sleep. "Gradually, scientists are identifying the underlying problems that may cause SIDS," says Dr. Duane Alexander, director the NICHD. "But until SIDS is better understood and can be prevented, there are some basic strategies to reduce the risk of SIDS. Back sleeping is a simple and easy first step."

The NICHD launched the Back to Sleep campaign in 1994, which encourages parents to put their babies to sleep on their backs or sides. Dr. Alexander explains that prior to the campaign, 70 percent of babies in the United States were stomach sleeping. In 1997, only 21 percent were sleeping on their stomachs. Simultaneously, the SIDS rates in the United States have dropped 43 percent. The NICHD recommends all newborn babies be placed to sleep on their backs provided they don't have any condition that would require them to sleep on their stomachs.

In addition to parents' efforts to reduce identified risk factors for SIDS (see sidebar), some parents also find home monitoring to be useful – if for no other reason than it gives them peace of mind. Certainly, technology has come a long way since the invention of sound monitors, which are still widely used. Now, parents have the opportunity to not only hear but also watch their infants on television.

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