The ABC’ s of Safe Sleep
Sudden infant death syndrome( SIDS) and accidental suffocation are the leading causes of death among babies age 0 to 12 months old, with those 2 to 4 months of age most vulnerable. Parents can reduce this risk by following the updated guidelines below.
Remember: Alone, Back, and Crib( ABC)
The safest way to put babies to sleep is alone, on their back, in a safety-approved crib. Adult beds, cribs filled with soft bedding and toys, and even sofas are dangerous for little ones. These situations can lead to suffocation, being smothered by an adult or another child, or getting trapped between cushions.
Alone: The caregiver’ s room is the safest place for your baby to sleep— alone. Do not co-sleep. Your baby should not sleep with you or anyone else in a bed, on a couch or in a chair.
Back: The back is for sleep, and tummy is for play. Always place your baby on their back when sleeping— naps and nighttime.
Crib: Always place your baby to sleep in an empty, safety-approved crib with a firm mattress. Remove all loose bedding, pillows and toys.
Safe Sleep Guidelines
• Back to Sleep for Every Sleep: Always place infants on their backs for all sleep times— naps and nighttime.
• Use a Firm, Flat Sleep Surface: Ensure the baby sleeps on a firm, flat, non-inclined sleep surface, such as a mattress in a safety-approved crib, covered only by a fitted sheet. Avoid placing the baby to sleep on soft surfaces like sofas, armchairs, or inclined devices.
• Room Sharing Without Bed Sharing: Infants should sleep in the parents’ room, close to the parents’ bed, but on a separate surface designed for infants, ideally for at least the first six months. Bed-sharing significantly increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths and should be avoided.
• Keep Soft Objects and Loose Bedding Away: Keep soft objects such as pillows, quilts, comforters, mattress toppers, fur-like materials, and loose bedding away from the infant’ s sleep area to reduce the risk of SIDS, suffocation, entrapment, and strangulation.
• Avoid Overheating and Head Covering: Dress the baby appropriately for the environment to avoid overheating, and ensure the head remains uncovered during sleep.
• Breastfeeding and Immunizations: Breastfeeding is recommended as it is associated with a reduced risk of SIDS. Additionally, ensure that infants are immunized in accordance with guidelines from the AAP and CDC.
• Avoid Use of Commercial Devices: Avoid using commercial devices that are inconsistent with safe sleep recommendations, such as inclined sleepers and certain infant support cushions, as they can pose significant risks.
• Quit Smoking: Do not smoke before or after the birth of your baby, and don’ t allow others to smoke around your baby.
• Monitor Tummy Time: Give your baby tummy time when they’ re awake and supervised, not during sleep.
• Say Yes to a Pacifier: Offering your baby a pacifier during sleep and after breastfeeding is recommended to reduce the risk of SIDS.
• Spread the Word: Make sure everyone who watches your baby is fully aware of your safe sleep practices. Education is key to keeping babies safe
And remember: Alone, Back, Crib. 18