SIDS organizations around the world are dedicated to reducing infant deaths, supporting families whose children have died and funding research to find the answer as to why these deaths occurred.

It was understood that if global advancement in the area of SIDS was to be achieved we needed to actively work together, sharing ideas and initiatives and  providing support for each other.

In 1985 a group of representatives from SIDS Parent organizations met in Brussels for the first time.  They realized the benefits that could be gained by working together.

At the subsequent meeting in 1987, held at Lake Como, Italy, representatives from Australia, Austria, Britain, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy , New Zealand, Norway, Scotland, Sweden and the USA formed SIDS Family International.

It was agreed the new organization would facilitate sharing of information, improve services to families, increase public awareness about SIDS, encourage liaison with health professionals, encourage research to eliminate the sudden unexpected death of infants.

The name SIDS Family International was adopted and the first Executive was formed with Kaarene Fitzgerald from Australia as Chair. At a successive meeting the name of the organisation was changed to SIDS International to better reflect the profession services provided by its members.

Membership

Membership is open to country organizations who represent bereaved families who have experienced the sudden death of a baby. SIDSI currently has 13 countries as full members and has affiliation with a further 10 countries.