SIDS: The Survivor as Victim

Abstract

This article addresses itself to the death-grief constellation precipitated by the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) both in terms of the adjustment problems of the surviving family members and the challenges faced by concerned caregivers. Several features of SIDS create a particularly problematical aftermath for the survivors, including the sudden, unexpected nature of the death itself; the fact that its cause and prevention are unknown; the severing of the mother-infant bond; problems faced by surviving siblings; the multiplicity of agencies involved in the case-management process; and prevailing myths and stereotypes. Several problems for the concerned caregiver posed by SIDS are examined. Potential contributions of one caregiver—the funeral director — are explained.