Safe Sleeping Guidelines

Lowering the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

 

Safe sleeping techniques for babies and infants Place babies on their backs to sleep, both at nighttime and at nap-time: Research shows that this is the only recommended position for sleep and it is known to reduce the risk of SIDS.

Room sharing is recommended for infants for the first 4-6 months of life. This means parent and child share the same room, however the child is sleeping in their own crib . (Room sharing is very different than bed-sharing which is not a recommendation of the CFSIDS)

Place babies on a firm mattress in an approved crib: Do not put babies to sleep on soft mattresses, sofas, sofa cushions, waterbeds, sheepskins, or other soft surfaces.

Remove all fluffy and loose bedding from the sleep area: Make sure you take all pillows, quilts, stuffed toys, and large blankets out of the crib.

Make sure the baby’s head and face stay uncovered during sleep. Keep the baby’s mouth and nose clear of blankets and other coverings during sleep. Use light sleep clothing. If you do which to cover your baby, a sleep sack is your safest option.

Do not smoke around babies. Create a smoke-free environment for your child. If you or someone else must smoke, go outside.

Do not let babies overheat during sleep. Keep babies comfortable . Not too warm and too cold. (68-69 degrees is ideal for a properly dressed child.) Babies’ sleeping areas should be at a temperature that is comfortable for adults. Too many layers of clothing or blankets can overheat babies.