Sudden infant death syndrome, commonly known as SIDS, is a tragic occurrence that can strike families unexpectedly. There are many synonyms for this condition that have been used over the years, including crib death, cot death, and sudden unexpected infant death. Each of these terms refers to the sudden and unexplained death of an infant under the age of one year. While the cause of SIDS is not fully understood, there are steps that parents and caregivers can take to reduce the risk of this devastating consequence. By placing babies on their backs to sleep, avoiding smoking or secondhand smoke exposure, and providing a safe sleep environment, parents can help protect their babies from SIDS.