The leading cause of death for infants 1 month to 1 year is Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID). Unsafe sleep areas, such as those that include non-fitted sheets, blankets, or stuffed toys, remain a leading cause of infant death. It’s important for all caregivers — parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, babysitters, child care providers, and anyone who might care for baby — to learn about safe infant sleep.
On their Back, Every Nap and Every Night
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that infants sleep on their backs in their own crib, bassinet or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet.
Avoid putting your infant to sleep on a couch or armchair or in a seating device, like a swing or car safety seat (except while riding in the car) and keep loose blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, bumpers and other soft items out of the sleep space.
Everyone who cares for a baby can help reduce the baby’s risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and other sleep-related infant deaths, such as suffocation. Learning Safe Sleep Practices for infant sleep and care can help reduce baby’s risk of SIDS.
Safe Sleep Practices for Babies
From the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- Babies should always be placed on their back for sleep. Research shows this is the safest.
- Babies should sleep on a firm sleep surface that does not incline.
- Remove all toys, pillows, blankets and bumpers from the crib.
- It’s OK to swaddle a baby, but stop swaddling as soon as they start learning to roll.
- If the baby falls asleep in a car seat, stroller, swing or infant carrier, move them as soon as you can.
- It’s dangerous for babies to sleep on a couch, armchair or nursing pillow.
- Try giving your baby a pacifier at nap time and bedtime.
- Stay smoke- and vape-free during pregnancy, and keep baby’s surroundings smoke- and vape-free.
- Stay drug- and alcohol-free during pregnancy, and make sure anyone caring for baby is drug- and alcohol-free.
- Avoid letting baby get too hot, and keep baby’s head and face uncovered during sleep.
- Get regular medical care throughout pregnancy.
- Follow your healthcare provider’s advice on vaccines, checkups and other health issues for baby.
- Avoid swaddling once baby starts to roll over (usually around 3 months of age), and keep in mind that swaddling does not reduce SIDS risk.
