According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 3,500 babies die unexpectedly each year in the United States. While some unexpected infant deaths remain unexplained, most are caused by sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or accidental suffocation while sleeping.
Safe sleep practices are vitally important to reduce a baby’s risk of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of infant death. Parents, grandparents and caregivers of infants should use these key tips to ensure safe sleeping habits for your baby:
- Position Your Baby Properly: Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, for naps and at night. The back sleep position is the safest for avoiding potential suffocation.
- Keep Bedding Firm: Place your baby on a firm sleep surface, such as on a safety-approved crib mattress, covered by a fitted sheet. Never place your baby to sleep on pillows, quilts or other soft surfaces.
- Simplify the Sleeping Area: Keep soft objects, toys and loose bedding out of your baby’s sleep area. Don’t use pillows, blankets or pillows-like crib bumpers in the baby’s sleep area, and keep all objects away from your baby’s face.
- Sleep Alone: Keep your baby’s sleep area close to, but separate from, where you and others sleep. Your baby should not sleep in a bed or on a couch or armchair with adults or other children, but he or she can sleep in the same room as you.
- Consider Temperature: Do not let your baby overheat during sleep. Dress your baby in light sleep clothing, and keep the room at a temperature that would be comfortable for an adult.
- Take Advantage of the Pacifier: Think about using a clean pacifier when placing the infant down to sleep, but don’t force the baby to take it. If you are breastfeeding, wait until your child is one month old or breastfeeding is well established before using a pacifier.
- Don’t Rely on Baby Monitors: While home monitors can be useful, they do not reduce the risk of SIDS. If you have questions about using monitors for other conditions talk to your baby’s health care provider.
- Avoid Scams: Avoid purchasing or using products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS. Most have not been tested for effectiveness and safety.
