Losing a baby to SIDS is devastating to parents, families and caregivers. Completely unexpected, it offers parents no opportunity to plan for their childs death or to say goodbye to their baby. Worse yet, the death cannot be explained, so parents examine and re-examine their behavior, searching for actions that might have caused or prevented it. Emotions run the gamut from tears to incredible anger, resentment and the desire to blame someone: sometimes parents blame one another, the caregiver, or the doctor who said their child was healthy.

 At times the grief may seem unbearable. SIDS parents may be depressed or find it hard to focus. They may be physically ill, or unable to sleep or eat.

 For most people, the best and most important resource is a parent support group. These meetings are held monthly throughout Orange County and are led by trained facilitators.

 The Guild for Infant Survival, Orange County (GISOC) support group gives parents an opportunity to talk about their feelings  and how to survive them  with other parents who have been through the experience. The sessions are conducted by SIDS parents who have been trained as facilitators through the State of California. It is important for SIDS parents to know they are not alone.

 The opportunity to talk with others who have been through a SIDS death can be reassuring.

In addition, GISOC has a 24-hour, 7 day-a-week line that provides telephone consolation to families in need. The telephone number is (949) 474-SIDS

Below is a list of trained parent contacts: 

Lisa Biakanja

Lisa Billings

Debbie Gemmill

Irene Holguin (Spanish speaking)

Shari Morinishi

Mary Williams

Carole Guttilla (grandparent contact)

Mary Ann Garcia