Alone. Back. Crib.
Babies should sleep Alone, on the Back, in a Crib. This means a bare crib with no bumper pads, pillows, blankets, quilts, pillows, wedges, or stuffed animals, which can put your baby at risk for suffocation.
By learning and following safe sleep tips, you and those caring for your baby can reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) — a sudden, unexplained death of an infant under age 1 — and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) — death caused by suffocation or accidents during sleep.
Here’s how you can lower your baby’s risk of SIDS/SUID:
- The safest place for your baby to sleep is in the room where you sleep, but not in your bed.
- Never place babies to sleep on adult beds, chairs, sofas, waterbeds, pillows, cushions or soft surfaces.
- Dress your baby in sleep clothing, such as a sleep sack, and do not use a blanket.
- Avoid letting the baby get too hot. Keep room temperatures in a range comfortable for a lightly clothed adult.
- Infants should receive all recommended vaccinations.
- Breastfeeding is recommended to help to reduce the risk of SIDS.
- Avoid smoke exposure during pregnancy and after birth. Place the crib in an area that is always smoke free.
- Supervised, awake tummy time is recommended daily to facilitate development.
- Consider using a pacifier at nap time and bed time, once breastfeeding is well established.
- Talk to those who care for your baby, including child care providers, family, and friends, about placing your baby to sleep on his back for every sleep.
- Obtain regular prenatal care to reduce the risk of SIDS even before birth.
- Avoid alcohol and illicit drug use during pregnancy and after birth.
Sleep Sacks
Baby sleep sacks, also known as wearable blankets and baby sleeping bags, are a practical, safe alternative to blankets. They keep babies comfortable since they can’t be kicked off. And while they stay secure on your baby, they don’t cover her face or pose a suffocation risk.
Wilson Health provides each mother a sleep sack after delivery.
For more information, visit: https://cribsforkids.org/