York City proclaims SIDS awareness day; officials urge safe-infant-sleep practices

Mayor Michael R. Helfrich proclaimed Oct. 25 as sudden infant death syndrome awareness day at a York City event where public health officials and clinicians urged parents and caregivers to follow established safe-sleep practices.

The proclamation noted that SIDS is the leading cause of death for infants 1 month to 1 year of age and reaffirmed the York City Bureau of Health’s commitment to education and outreach on safe infant sleep.

York County Coroner Pam Gaye, who investigators often call to examine sudden infant deaths, described the emotional and investigative work that follows these deaths and emphasized that many are linked to unsafe sleep environments. "Most of these situations are co-sleeping or an unsafe sleep environment," Gaye said, noting coroners typically visit homes or hospitals and that every sleep-related infant death in the county receives an autopsy.

Dr. Michael Goodstein, a neonatologist at WellSpan York Hospital and director of the York County Cribs for Kids program, summarized national and local data and gave specific guidance to reduce risk. He said sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) — a term that includes SIDS, suffocation and undetermined causes — affects roughly 3,600 infants nationally each year and cited Pennsylvania figures of about 100 SUID deaths in 2023.

Goodstein listed three core recommendations he asked caregivers to remember: "back is best," "room share, don't bed share," and that breastfeeding reduces risk. He advised that infants be placed on their backs on a firm, noninclined surface; that cribs contain no toys, stuffed animals, loose blankets, bumpers or other soft bedding; and that car seats, strollers, swings and similar devices are not recommended for routine sleep for infants younger than 4 months. "Bed sharing significantly raises a risk of a baby's injury or death," Goodstein said, noting the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not support bed sharing.

Both presenters gave local context: York City records about 800 to 900 births per year and the Bureau of Health provides services to roughly 300 of those families. Coroner Gaye said York County had two sleep-related infant deaths so far this year and six last year, and she and Goodstein emphasized that many families are unaware of the specific behaviors that increase risk.

Goodstein said WellSpan hospitals are "safe sleep certified," which includes maternity staff training, counseling for families, a safe-sleep video, and distribution of wearable blankets and a safe-sleep board book. He discouraged use of commercial devices marketed to reduce SIDS risk and said home cardiorespiratory or wearable monitors are not substitutes for safe-sleep practices: "Wearable monitors are not approved as being able to prevent a baby from dying."

Both officials discussed strategies for parents who need to bring an infant into the bed temporarily, including creating a "just in case" plan and using a portable crib placed close to the bed if mobility is limited after delivery. Goodstein also recommended supervised awake tummy time and keeping infants up to date on immunizations.

The mayor read the proclamation recognizing the importance of awareness and education and encouraged residents to share resources with pregnant friends and family. The event materials directed caregivers to the AAP's healthychildren.org site, WellSpan's safe-sleep resources, and Cribs for Kids for more information.

Closing remarks stressed prevention and education: "How great it would be... to finally have a year without a sleep-related infant death," Coroner Gaye said, and Goodstein urged families and clinicians to discuss specific plans for safe sleep when infants are born.

The proclamation and the presentations were ceremonial and informational; no legislative action or vote was recorded.