Although nobody knows for sure what causes sudden infant death or how to prevent it, there are definitely things you can do to decrease the likelihood of this happening to your child. For instance, let your baby sleep on her back on a flat surface until the baby can roll over to her tummy herself. Even then, start her off on her back. (Just make sure to give your baby "tummy time" during the day to help her development and safeguard the shape of her head!). Also, keep bedding firm and simple - no soft mattresses, fluffy pillows or blankets, no stuffed toys or bumper pads that could smother a baby who accidentally moves into them. Always take the plastic wrapping off anything that comes in contact with the baby. Hopefully you already had a healthy pregnancy free of drugs and alcohol use - which reduces the chance of SIDS and continue to refrain from substance use including cigarettes if you want to sleep with your baby at your side. Keep the baby comfortable rather than overbundled and hot to the touch. Breastfeeding is protective against SIDS. Unfortunately, moms who do all this cannot absolutely guarantee that their baby will not succumb to infant death syndrome - however, they are helping to beat the odds. Just do the best you can and remember that the condition is statistically rare - not something you have to be thinking about constantly.  Sarah Chana