Sleep related deaths are one of the leading causes of death for infants between 1 month and 1 year of age. Most sleep related infant deaths are preventable by following sleep safety basics.
Awareness saves lives. Community organizations including day care centers, pregnancy resource centers, and any organization that serves women and men with babies can help to spread the word about safe sleep.
the Sleep Basics
Always place a baby on their back to sleep every time:
- Make sure baby sleeps only on a firm safety approved crib mattress, bassinet, or portable crib
- Do not cover your baby with a loose blanket. Instead, dress your baby in a sleeper appropriate for the room temperature.
- Do not place stuffed animals, crib bumpers, blankets, quilts, baby positioners or any other soft items in the crib.
- Never place your baby to sleep on an adult bed, recliner, sofa, air mattress, bean bag chair, pillow, quilt, or any other soft surface
- Do not sleep with your baby
- Do not fall asleep with your baby in your bed or in any other place while you are holding your baby (such as on a sofa or recliner)
Bed-sharing is Dangerous
When babies bed share, it puts them at risk for suffocation and sudden unexpected infant death. This can happen if an adult rolls over onto the baby, or if a soft object such a pillow, blanket, sheet, or the mattress blocks the baby’s airway.
Room-Sharing
If you want to keep your baby close to you, try room-sharing. Place the bassinet or crib by your bed. This way, your baby can sleep safely in their own safe sleep area and you can sleep better knowing your baby is near.
