Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death among
infants between 1 month and 1 year of age. This is what you can do to
help your baby sleep safely and to reduce your baby’s risk of SIDS.
To create a safe sleep environment:
Always place a baby on his or her back to sleep, for naps and at night,
to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Use a firm sleep surface, covered by a fitted sheet; a crib, bassinet,
portable crib or play yard that conforms to the safety standards of the
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is recommended.
Your baby should not sleep in an adult bed, on a couch or on a chair alone,
with you, or with anyone else.
Keep your baby’s sleep area in the same room where you sleep (for
the infants first year). Room sharing not bed sharing. Always place the
baby in a safety-approved crib, bassinet, portable crib for sleep.
Sitting devices like bouncy seats, swings, infant carriers or strollers
should not be used for routine sleep.
Keep soft objects such as pillows and blankets, toys and bumpers out of
your baby’s sleep area.
Wedges and positioners should not be used.
Do not smoke during pregnancy or allow smoking around your baby.
Do not let your baby get too hot during sleep.
Breastfeed your baby.
Give your baby a dry pacifier that is not attached to a string for naps
and at night to reduce the risk of SIDS after breastfeeding is established.
Supervised Skin to Skin is recommended to all mothers and infants immediately
following birth regardless of feeding or delivery, (as soon as mother
is medically stable, awake and able to respond to her newborn) and to
continue for at least an hour. Once mother starts to get sleepy, return
baby to bassinet.
Follow health care provider guidance on your baby’s vaccines and
regular health checkups.
