October is SIDS, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Awareness Month. In 2017, more than 1,300 Iowa families experienced the death of a child from SIDS. Washington resident Tony Lipski, President of the Iowa SIDS Foundation, shared the story of how SIDS affected his family and how they became involved. “My wife and I both became involved with the Iowa SIDS Foundation when our son Jacob died in 2005. He was at the babysitter, was put down for a nap and did not wake up. During that time we were offered a peer contact, which is someone who has been through a similar situation to help with support and counseling. Since then we have been involved with the Foundation. In fact, I have been President of the board of directors for about the last five or six years.”

Lipski says that the Iowa SIDS Foundation’s outreach to those affected includes a peer contact, which are other bereaved parents or members of the foundation, public education, statistics and other programs. Throughout October, the National Institute of Health has had weekly themes highlighting safety tips including: always place baby on their back to reduce risk of SIDS; use a firm mattress in a safe crib free of soft and loose bedding, bumpers, stuffed animals or blankets; share your room with baby but not your bed, and breastfeed to reduce the risk of SIDS. The Iowa SIDS Foundation states that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is the leading cause of death among babies between one month and one year of age.