SIDS: New info from the Academy of Pediatrics

The Academy of Pediatrics is the "governing body" for us pediatrician. They are the ones who review data and issue guidelines and recommendation on health care for infants and children.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) has decreased substantially (about 50% drop) since around 1994 when we started recommending the "back to sleep" position. Since then, we have accumulated more information that is important to share. The riskiest period seems to be between 2 and 4 months of age, with very few reports of SIDS after 6 month. Nothing is absolute and there will be exceptions to this general rule.
There are a few things that reduce the chances of SIDS that moms can do before delivery. Studies show an increased risk for SIDS if mom has no prenatal care or smokes. Don't do that. Increased risk means something is more likely to happen, not a guarantee that it will. There is a greater risk for a drunk driver to have an accident than a sober one. Both types will have accidents. Both types will not have accidents. BUT, the drunk drivers will have many more accidents (increased risk) than the sober ones.
Nothing guarantees your child will not die of SIDS, but you can do a number of things that will lessen that risk.
Back to Sleep is the only recommended position, not on the side or tummy. Do not use any items to prop the baby in any position, just lay them on their backs. They should be on their back for all sleeping times, although a brief nap in your arms seems safe enough. When babies are not sleeping, they do not need to be on their backs. They can be in any reasonable position. I used to see lots of babies with very flat heads and a stiff neck from laying in one position from infancy. Currently I recommend that babies be put to bed with their head toward the head of the crib one day/night and the next day/night their head toward the foot of the crib. That way you can help position the head so it is turned toward one shoulder one day and the opposite shoulder the next. That will prevent the head from flattening and exercize the neck muscles.
Firm mattress is another important recommendation. Soft mattresses, water beds, etc. Are not a good idea. There should not be any additional soft items in the bed, like comforters, stuffed animals, pillows, sheepskins, etc. because they can cover the baby's face.
Co-sleeping, that is, having the baby sleep in the bed with mom is not a good idea. About 150 babies die each year in the USA from a parent rolling onto the infant and smothering them. Beside the bed, in a separate sleeper is OK. Bringing the child into the bed to breast feed at night is fine, but not to sleep.
Pacifier use seems to also reduce SIDS to a substantial degree. The recommendation is to use a pacifier only once breast feeding has been well established (3-4 weeks). Some babies do need it even sooner (that's probably OK), but I have never liked to push a pacifier on a baby that refuses it. The recommendation is to put the baby to sleep with the pacifier, but if it falls out, not to replace it. To be honest, I don't understand that, but, for now, it's probably safer to use it than not.
Gadgets are not useful. No monitors, etc. will prevent SIDS. There is no need to buy other things to position the baby. Simply lay them flat on their back. Those gadgets are not only a waste of money, but give you FALSE security that you're doing something beneficial.
These are the latest recommendations. Please follow them. Your comments are welcome.