You are on this page: Helpful Tips to Keep Your Baby Safe: Safe To Sleep
Publications
- Pub. 5008 - Helpful Tips to Keep Your Baby Safe: Safe To Sleep
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- Pub. 5008 English/Spanish
- Pub. 5008-AR Arabic
- Pub. 5008-BN Bengali
- Pub. 5008-TC Chinese, traditional
- Pub. 5008-FR French
- Pub. 5008-HC Haitian Creole
- Pub. 5008-IT Italian
- Pub. 5008-KO Korean
- Pub. 5008-PL Polish
- Pub. 5008-RU Russian
- Pub. 5008-UR Urdu
- Pub. 5008-YI Yiddish
Safe to Sleep
All babies need a place where it is safe to sleep. There are steps that parents and caretakers should take to make sure that it is “Safe to Sleep” when putting infants to bed, to prevent infant deaths from unsafe sleeping arrangements and to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
An increasing number of fatalities have been reported involving the sleeping arrangements of infants, including infants sleeping alone in unsafe surroundings as well as infants sleeping with other persons. SIDS is the sudden death of an infant under 1 year of age that remains unexplained after a complete investigation. SIDS is the leading cause of death in infants ages 1 month to 12 months.
The “safe to sleep” tips below can help keep your baby healthy and safe.
- Place your baby on his or her back to sleep, even for naps. “Back to Sleep” is the safest sleep position for your baby. Talk to all caregivers about safe sleep practices and the risk of SIDS.
- To further reduce the risk of SIDS, dress your baby in light sleep clothing and keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for a lightly dressed adult. Keep a smoke-free home for your baby, and consider offering a pacifier during naps and at bedtime. Dress your baby in sleep clothing, such as a one-piece sleeper and do not use a blanket.
- Place your baby to sleep in a child-safe crib with a firm mattress covered by a fitted sheet; crib slats should be 2⅜ inches or less apart. Sofas, chairs, futons, and waterbeds are not safe places for a baby to sleep. Keep loose bedding and soft objects such as pillows, comforters, crib bumpers and stuffed toys out of the baby’s sleep environment. Avoid products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS because most have not been tested for effectiveness and safety.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends parents place the infant’s crib or bassinet near their bed to allow for convenient parent/child contact and breastfeeding.
- Overtiredness may cause parents to fall asleep with their infant, only to have the baby slip beneath them or down into the chair or bedframe. The AAP advises parents who choose to feed their infant in bed to be aware of these risks.
- Bed sharing during sleep is not recommended, since it may increase the risk of the infant becoming caught in bedding or smothered during the shifting that may occur during sleep. Bed sharing is especially dangerous if the adult has used alcohol or drugs. It may cause deeper sleep that can lead to decreased awareness of the infant and the sleeping environment. Parents on medications are advised to read the prescription’s warnings and directions carefully; if you have any questions, contact your health care provider.
- Some “tummy time” during awake hours is good for your baby. It helps to strengthen your baby’s neck and shoulder muscles, and reduces the change of flat spots developing on your baby’s head.
Pub. 5008 (06/15)