Families that lose a child to SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) suffer a devastating loss. Parents often suffer from both grief and guilt when their child dies of SIDS. It is important to realize that SIDS may occur no matter how much a parent loves or tries to protect their child. SIDS may also strain a marriage, and grieving parents may not be able to comfort each other.

Parents of SIDS infants should seek emotional support. They may ask their physician about available community resources, support groups or even other SIDS parents who may be available to talk. Sharing thoughts and feelings in online chat rooms, with friends, family members and counselors may also help. Some national groups (e.g., Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Alliance) may be able to provide grief counseling, support and referrals.

At the time of death, it is important for parents to be able to hold their child one last time. Some parents may want to keep a lock of hair or make footprints or handprints of their baby. Parents may find it helpful to memorialize their child. A funeral or memorial service with photos and the child’s favorite toys or blanket may help commemorate the child’s life and help surviving family members to acknowledge the child’s death. In addition, it is important that grieving parents continue to maintain their physical health (e.g., eat healthy foods, get regular exercise, get adequate rest).