other sudden unexpected infant deaths,” Parks add.
Plus, Carlin says, many Black Americans who did keep their jobs were “essential workers” who had no option to work from home. So mothers had to go to work at a time when childcare centers closed, and many scrambled to find a replacement — perhaps, Carlin notes, family or friends with little infant care experience.
On top of that, she says, those same moms were probably exhausted and emotionally drained: If their babies slept better in bed with them, they may have made that choice.
Parks says the CDC is continuing its routine monitoring of SUID, and it remains to be seen whether rates among Black babies changed as the pandemic wore on.
But even if things improved from 2020, Carlin pointed out, the disparity has always been there.
What’s needed, she says, are “systems where new mothers are supported and can focus on parenting instead of paying the rent.”
RELATED: The Best Way To Put Babies To Sleep To Reduce SIDS Risk
How to protect your child
A safe sleep environment lowers the risk of SIDS. You can help create a safe sleep environment in the following ways according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):
- Put your baby on their back for all naps & at night: AAP recommends placing infants to sleep in a supine position for every sleep until the child reaches one year of age. Side sleeping is not advised and is not safe.
- Use a firm, flat sleep surface: A firm, flat, non-inclined sleep surface is recommended to reduce the risk of suffocation or wedging/entrapment.
- Feed your baby breast milk: Breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and is recommended, unless contraindicated or the parent is unable to do so.
- Never sleep with your baby: It isn’t recommended that you share a bed with your baby under any circumstances.
- Instead of bed sharing, room share with your baby: Infants should sleep in the parents’ room, but on a separate surface designed for infants, ideally for at least six months.
- Keep soft objects & loose bedding out of your baby’s sleep area: Soft objects such as pillows, comforters, and loose bedding should be kept away from the infant’s sleep area.
- Don’t let your baby get overheated: Overheating can increase the risk of SIDS. Your baby only needs one more layer than you would wear in the same environment to be comfortable.
- Try giving your baby a pacifier at nap time and bedtime: A pacifier should be offered at nap time and bedtime to reduce the risk for SIDS.
- Don’t smoke or use nicotine during pregnancy or after your baby is born: Smoke and nicotine exposure and alcohol, marijuana, opioids, and illicit drug use should be avoided during pregnancy and after birth.