Each year in the United States, thousands of babies die suddenly and unexpectedly. Some of these deaths result from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related causes of infant death, such as suffocation.
Creating a safe sleep environment for your baby is one way you reduce your baby’s risk of SIDS.
To reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of infant death:
- Always place baby on his or her back to sleep, for naps and at night.
- This is the most effective way to reduce the risk of SIDS.
- Use a firm and flat sleep surface, such as a mattress in a safety-approved crib, covered only by a fitted sheet.
- There should be no soft objects or toys in baby’s sleep area, including blankets, crib bumpers, pillows or loveys.
- Share your room with baby – but NOT your bed.
- Keep baby close to your bed, but on a separate surface designed for infants.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends room sharing because it can decrease the risk of SIDS by as much as 50% and it’s much safer than bed sharing.
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 to help reduce baby’s risk.
For more information and resources on ways to reduce your baby’s risk visit Ways to Reduce Baby’s Risk | Safe to Sleep® (nih.gov)
Our Childbirth Center at Mercer Health is here for you on your journey with expert advice and resources to help both mom and baby. No question is too silly. No worry is too small. To learn more visit https://mercer-health.com/our-services/postpartum-support/
