As Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month comes to an end, CDPH is highlighting new data on sleep-related infant deaths in Chicago and the importance of safe sleep practices:

• 128 infants in Chicago died from sleep-related causes in 2024. Infant suffocation was the second-leading cause of infant death in Chicago during this period.

• In 92 of the 128 sleep-related deaths, infants were found sleeping in an adult bed.

• The rate of sleep-related infant deaths among Black infants was 10 times higher than among non-Black infants.

• The Near South region had a rate 22 times higher than the Northwest region. The Far South and West regions also had higher rates than the Northwest and North Central regions. 

On October 27, CDPH held the 52 Empty Cribs installation at Daley Plaza to highlight the impact of sleep-related infant deaths in Cook County, where approximately one infant dies during sleep each week. The installation demonstrated how unsafe sleep environments can contribute to infant suffocation. To learn more about safe sleep practices and how to keep babies safe, visit: chicago.gov/safesleep

Photo Credit: Chicago Department of Public Health