Breath saver: study suggests a fan in the baby's room protects against SIDS.

RODALE NEWSROOM, EMMAUS, PA—Using a fan in an infant’s bedroom could lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) for babies sleeping in less-than-ideal conditions, according to a Kaiser Permanente Division of Research study published in the journal Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. There’s no established cause of SIDS, but a popular theory is that excess bedding, plush mattresses, or sleeping on the stomach can trap exhaled carbon dioxide in the baby’s airway.

THE DETAILS: Researchers asked 185 California mothers who lost their infants to SIDS between 1997 and 2000, and 312 randomly selected mothers from similar socioeconomic backgrounds, about the use of fans and open windows in their babies’ sleeping areas. Overall, the use of fans reduced the risk of SIDS by 72%. Having a fan circulating air in the room had an even greater effect on reducing SIDS risk in dangerous sleeping situations like hot rooms, sleeping on the tummy or side, or sleeping with someone other than a parent.

WHAT IT MEANS: The number of SIDS cases was cut in half between 1992 and 2003, but it still remains the leading cause of infant deaths in the United States. Researchers say the fan finding—the first study showing increased air circulation reduces the risk of SIDS—should not be used as a replacement for current recommendations, but could supplement them.

Here are safe sleep guidelines for babies less than 1 year old:

• Don’t smoke. And avoid secondhand smoke when you’re pregnant. Keep cigarette smoke away from your baby’s crib and bedroom. For help with quitting smoking, call the government-sponsored hotline 800-QUIT-NOW.

• Always place babies on their backs to sleep.

• Don’t let babies sleep in adult beds, sofas, chairs, waterbeds, or cushions—they should sleep in a safety-approved crib with a firm mattress.

• Don’t cover a baby’s head with a blanket; if a light blanket is needed, keep it under the baby’s armpits and tuck the sides in along the bottom half of the crib. Keep the crib free of toys and soft bedding.

• Don’t let babies get too hot; set the room temperature in a range that’s comfortable for a lightly clothed adult. This new study suggests it’s a good idea to run a fan in a safe location in the room, especially if it’s not a well-ventilated space.

• If someone else is watching your child, make sure they know how to safely put your baby to sleep.