Sudden Unexpected Death in Infants (SUDI and SIDS) in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) is the sudden, unexplained death of a baby when there is no obvious cause, even after investigation. This includes:

  • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
  • Fatal sleep accidents (for example, accidental suffocation in unsafe sleep environments)

Most SUDI cases happen quietly while a baby is asleep, often at night.

In Grand Rapids and across Michigan, parents can take practical steps to lower the risk of SUDI and SIDS. Local healthcare providers such as Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health all follow national safe sleep guidelines to help keep West Michigan infants safe.

What Is SUDI and SIDS?

SUDI is a broad term that covers any sudden, unexpected death of a baby under 1 year of age when there is no clear cause at first. After investigation, some of these deaths are classified as:

  • SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) – unexplained even after a full investigation
  • Accidental suffocation or strangulation in bed – usually related to unsafe sleep environments or bed-sharing

SIDS used to be called “crib death” or “cot death.”

SUDI can occur at any time of day or night, but most babies die during sleep.

SUDI and SIDS in Michigan

Since the early 1990s, SIDS and SUDI rates have dropped significantly in Michigan due to safe sleep education and public health campaigns. According to U.S. national data, SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths have decreased by more than 50% since the “Back to Sleep” (now “Safe to Sleep”) campaign began.

  • In the United States, SUDI affects about 1 in every 3,000 births
  • SIDS and other sleep-related deaths are now much less common than they were in 1990

The Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health work with hospitals, pediatric clinics, and community organizations to promote safe sleep practices for families in Grand Rapids and West Michigan.

Who Is at Higher Risk?

SUDI can affect any family, but some babies are at higher risk, including:

  • Babies aged 2 to 4 months (peak risk age)
  • Babies younger than 1 year (risk is highest in the first 6 months)
  • Babies who are:
    • Born premature (before 37 weeks)
    • Low birth weight
    • Born with medical problems or who are unwell
  • Babies exposed to tobacco smoke before or after birth
  • Babies who sleep in unsafe environments (soft surfaces, loose bedding, bed-sharing with adults, or sleeping on a couch/chair)

Boys are affected slightly more often than girls; about 60% of SUDI cases are male.

What Causes SUDI?

The exact cause of SUDI and SIDS is not known. There is no single test, symptom, or warning sign that can predict it.

Researchers believe SUDI usually involves a combination of:

  1. Vulnerability of the baby

    • Brain or nervous system development differences
    • Prematurity or low birth weight
    • Underlying medical issues

  2. Critical development period

    • Most cases occur between 2 and 4 months, when babies’ sleep and breathing patterns are still developing.

  3. External stressors or risk factors, such as:

    • Sleeping on the stomach (prone position)
    • Overheating (too many layers, hot room)
    • Soft mattresses or pillows
    • Loose bedding, stuffed animals, or cot bumpers
    • Bed-sharing, especially in unsafe conditions
    • Exposure to cigarette smoke, alcohol, or drugs

Minor infections (such as colds) are sometimes found in babies who die from SUDI, but these are usually too mild to explain the death on their own.

Research into SUDI and SIDS continues at national and international levels, and Michigan health systems, including Spectrum Health and Trinity Health Grand Rapids, follow evidence-based guidelines to reduce risk.

Safe Sleep in Grand Rapids: How to Lower Your Baby’s Risk

Several simple, everyday practices can greatly reduce your baby’s risk of SUDI and SIDS. These recommendations are supported by:

  • American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
  • Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
  • Kent County Health Department
  • Major Grand Rapids hospitals and pediatric clinics

1. Always Place Your Baby on Their Back to Sleep

  • Put your baby to sleep on their back for every sleep:
    • Naps
    • Night-time sleep
    • Sleep in childcare or with other caregivers
  • Do not place your baby to sleep on their stomach or side.
  • Back-sleeping:
    • Helps keep the airway clear
    • Allows protective reflexes (gag, swallow, arousal) to work best
    • Does not increase choking risk, even if your baby spits up

Positional Plagiocephaly (Flat Head)

Sleeping on the back can sometimes cause a flat spot on the back of the head, called positional plagiocephaly. This usually improves on its own before the first birthday.

You can help by:

  • Providing supervised tummy time when your baby is awake, alert, and on a firm surface
  • Changing the direction your baby faces in the crib
  • Holding your baby upright when they’re awake

If you’re concerned, talk with your pediatrician at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, or your local Grand Rapids clinic.

2. Use a Safe Sleep Environment (Night and Day)

Your baby’s sleep space should be:

  • Firm – no indentations or soft spots
  • Flat – not tilted or inclined
  • Uncluttered – no pillows, blankets, toys, or bumpers

Safe Crib or Bassinet

Use a safe, approved crib, bassinet, or portable crib that meets current U.S. safety standards:

  • Look for a label showing it meets Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards.
  • If using a second-hand crib:
    • Make sure it is not broken or modified
    • Avoid cribs older than about 10 years
    • Check that slats are not too far apart and that there are no missing parts

In Grand Rapids, you can ask your hospital social worker, WIC office, or Kent County Health Department about crib and pack-and-play programs if you need help getting a safe sleep space.

Mattress and Bedding

  • Use a firm, flat, well-fitting mattress with a snug-fitting sheet.
  • Place your baby:
    • On their back
    • With their feet at the bottom of the crib (“feet to foot” position)
  • If you use blankets (not recommended if a sleep sack is used):
    • Draw bedding only up to the chest
    • Tuck it firmly under the mattress on three sides

Better yet, use a sleep sack (wearable blanket):

  • Well-fitted around the neck and chest
  • With armholes or sleeves so baby can move arms freely
  • No hood or head covering

Keep the Crib Clear

Remove:

  • Pillows
  • Quilts, comforters, duvets
  • Sheepskins, soft padding
  • Cot bumpers
  • Positioning devices (wedges, anti-roll products)
  • Stuffed animals and soft toys

Never use crib bumpers and keep soft toys out of the crib. These items increase the risk of suffocation and overheating.

3. Room-Sharing (Not Bed-Sharing)

For at least the first 6 to 12 months, place your baby’s crib or bassinet:

  • In your bedroom, close to your bed
  • Not in the same bed as you

Room-sharing (without bed-sharing) can reduce the risk of SUDI by about 50% because:

  • You can easily see and check on your baby
  • You’re more likely to notice changes in breathing or distress

This protective effect does not apply if your baby sleeps in a room with other children instead of adults, because children are less likely to recognize and respond to problems.

4. Avoid Bed-Sharing and Unsafe Sleep Surfaces

Sharing a sleep surface with your baby can increase the risk of SUDI, especially in certain situations.

Never Let Your Baby Sleep:

  • On a couch, recliner, chair, or bean bag, alone or with an adult
  • On a soft surface such as a waterbed, pillow-top mattress, or pile of pillows
  • In an adult bed with loose blankets, pillows, or multiple people

If you think you might fall asleep while holding your baby:

  • Move yourself and your baby to a safe sleep surface first (crib, bassinet, or approved portable crib).

Bed-Sharing Is Especially Dangerous If:

  • You or your partner:
    • Are very tired or unwell
    • Have recently drunk alcohol
    • Smoke cigarettes or vape (even if not in the bedroom)
    • Have taken medications or drugs that make you drowsy or less aware
  • Your baby:
    • Is younger than 4 months
    • Was born premature
    • Is small for gestational age

Talk with your pediatrician or a Grand Rapids lactation consultant about safe ways to feed at night and then return your baby to their own sleep space.

5. Keep Your Baby Smoke-Free (Before and After Birth)

Tobacco smoke is one of the strongest and most preventable risk factors for SUDI and SIDS.

Risk increases if:

  • The birthing parent smokes during pregnancy
  • The baby is exposed to secondhand smoke after birth
  • The baby shares a bed with a smoker, even if that person doesn’t smoke in the bedroom

To reduce risk:

  • Quit smoking before pregnancy or as early as possible during pregnancy.
  • If you currently smoke:
    • Cutting down helps, but quitting completely is best for your baby.
  • Make your home and car 100% smoke-free.
  • Do not allow anyone to smoke near your baby or where your baby sleeps.

In Grand Rapids, help is available through:

  • Michigan Tobacco Quitline: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
  • Kent County Health Department – smoking cessation programs
  • Primary care doctors and OB/GYNs at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health

6. Avoid Overheating – Especially in Michigan Winters

Grand Rapids winters are cold, with snow, wind, and freezing temperatures. While it’s natural to worry about keeping your baby warm, overheating is a known risk factor for SUDI.

Babies regulate their body temperature mainly through their face and head.

To keep your baby comfortable and safe:

  • Dress your baby in one more layer than you are wearing.
  • Use lightweight sleep clothing (like a onesie and sleep sack) rather than heavy blankets.
  • Keep the room at a comfortable temperature for a lightly clothed adult (usually around 68–72°F or 20–22°C).
  • Remove hats, bonnets, and hoods when your baby is indoors and sleeping.
  • Check your baby by feeling their chest or back:
    • Warm is normal
    • Sweaty, hot, or flushed may mean they are too warm

If your baby has a fever, use fewer bed coverings or none at all and seek medical advice from your pediatrician or an urgent care clinic in Grand Rapids if needed.

7. Be Cautious with Baby Products and Carriers

There is no convincing scientific evidence that any special baby-care product reduces the risk of SUDI. Some products can actually increase risk.

Avoid Using in the Crib:

  • Positioning aids (wedges, anti-roll devices, sleep positioners)
  • Devices that strap or fasten your baby into one position
  • Commercial products marketed as “SIDS-reducing” without strong scientific proof

These items can:

  • Increase the risk of overheating
  • Increase the risk of suffocation or entrapment

Baby Carriers and Slings

If you use a baby carrier or sling:

  • Make sure your baby is:
    • Held tight and close to your body
    • Upright, not curled into a “C” shape
    • With their face visible, not covered by fabric
    • With their back straight and chin off their chest

Always transfer your baby to a firm, flat sleep surface if they fall asleep in a carrier, car seat, stroller, or swing, as soon as it is safe to do so.

8. Breastfeeding and SUDI

Breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of SUDI and SIDS, although SUDI can occur in both breastfed and formula-fed babies.

If you can, breastfeed your baby:

  • Any amount of breastfeeding is helpful
  • Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months offers added protection

In Grand Rapids, breastfeeding support is available through:

  • Hospital lactation services at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health
  • WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) clinics
  • Kent County Health Department programs
  • Local lactation consultants and breastfeeding support groups

If you have twins or multiples, each baby still needs:

  • Their own safe sleep space (separate crib, bassinet, or pack-and-play)
  • The same safe sleep rules (on their back, firm surface, no loose bedding)

9. Vaccinations and SUDI

SUDI and SIDS most commonly occur between 2 and 4 months of age, which is also when babies receive several routine vaccinations. This timing has led some parents to worry about a possible connection.

Research shows:

  • There is no link between vaccinations and an increased risk of SUDI or SIDS.
  • In fact, babies who are up to date on vaccinations may have a lower risk of SIDS.

Your baby should be immunized according to the standard U.S. and Michigan vaccination schedule. In Grand Rapids, vaccines are available through:

  • Pediatric clinics at local health systems
  • Kent County Health Department
  • Community health centers and family medicine practices

Emotional Impact: Guilt, Grief, and Support After SUDI

Losing a baby suddenly is devastating. Parents and families may feel:

  • Guilt
  • Anger
  • Fear
  • Blame (toward themselves or others)
  • Deep sadness and despair

Because the exact causes of SUDI are often unknown, many parents search for answers and may blame themselves, even when they followed all the recommendations.

Support can come from:

  • Family and friends
  • Other bereaved parents
  • Healthcare providers – your pediatrician, family doctor, midwife, or nurse
  • Social workers and counselors

In Grand Rapids, you can seek help from:

  • Your primary care provider or pediatrician
  • Hospital-based grief and bereavement services at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health
  • Local therapists and grief counselors
  • Faith communities and support groups

Local and National Resources for Grand Rapids Families

If you have questions about safe sleep, SUDI, or need support after a loss, consider:

  • Your GP (family doctor) or pediatrician
  • Your midwife or OB/GYN
  • Maternal and child health nurses (including home visiting programs through Kent County)
  • Kent County Health Department – safe sleep education, crib programs, smoking cessation, WIC
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and community clinics – parenting and infant health resources

Nationally, you can also access:

  • Safe to Sleep® (NICHD) – evidence-based safe sleep information
  • National SIDS/SUID resources and grief support organizations (your healthcare provider can refer you)

If you are in crisis or overwhelmed by grief, contact:

  • A local crisis line or 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (available 24/7 in the U.S.)
  • Your nearest emergency department (Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health in the Grand Rapids area)

Key Takeaways for Grand Rapids Parents

  • Always place your baby on their back to sleep – for every sleep, day and night.
  • Use a firm, flat, safe sleep surface (crib, bassinet, or pack-and-play) in your room but not in your bed for the first 6–12 months.
  • Keep the sleep area clear – no pillows, loose blankets, bumpers, or soft toys.
  • Keep your baby smoke-free – before and after birth.
  • Avoid overheating, especially during cold Michigan winters; dress your baby in layers similar to what you wear.
  • Breastfeed if you can – it may reduce the risk of SUDI.
  • Stay up to date with vaccinations – they do not increase SUDI risk and may offer protection.
  • If you have concerns or need help, reach out to Grand Rapids healthcare providers and local public health resources.

By following these practical, evidence-based steps and using the support available in Grand Rapids and Kent County, you can significantly lower your baby’s risk of SUDI and create a safer sleep environment year-round.