SUID, SIDS, and Accidental Asphyxiation

When Derrick first passed away I was in a deep state of shock for at least the first year. I would share with people how Derrick passed away from an unsafe sleep environment and the response nine times out of ten was "Oh, SIDS." I would get so frustrated because my son didn't pass away from SIDS. I wasn't sure where to turn or what to say, but I knew my son's death was preventable.

Before we dig deeper into this, let's talk about the definitions of SUID, SIDS, and accidental asphyxiation.

SUID (Sudden Unexpected Infant Death) is a category, not a diagnosis. 

A broad term that includes all sudden and unexpected deaths of infants under 1 year of age, whether explained or unexplained. Examples: SIDS, accidental suffocation, unknown causes, medical. 

SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is a type of SUID where the infant's death remains unexplained even after a full investigation, autopsy, and review of clinical history and sleep environment. SIDS is not currently preventable, but we can reduce the risk through safe sleep, breastfeeding, a healthy pregnancy, and smoke free environment.

Deaths caused by unsafe sleep environments or external factors that could have been prevented.

• Soft bedding asphyxia

• Positional asphyxia

• Overlay

• Wedging / Entrapment

• Mechanical asphyxia 

• Rebreathing

In the last year I have had many opportunities to vend community events to spread awareness and education for safe infant sleep. We have reached numerous communities. While it has been such an honor, I still am faced with "Oh, so it was SIDS." From medical professionals, parents, and grandparents.

This is still frustrating because it overlooks the fact that Derrick's death along with many others was preventable.

As a parent who has lived this loss, I know how painful and complex these terms can feel, but language matters. When we keep calling accidental suffocation “SIDS,” we blur the line between what can’t be explained and what could have been prevented. The longer we mislabel these deaths, the harder we have to fight to change them — and the further behind we fall in saving lives.

By naming things honestly, we give families power. We open space for education, awareness, and change. We move from confusion and guilt toward prevention and protection. Every accurate conversation is one more step toward fewer funerals, fewer heartbroken parents, and more babies sleeping safely tonight.