Baby Sleep Safety and Suffocation Prevention

October is Sleep Safe Month!

There is nothing more beautiful than a sleeping baby, especially for parents who are often overtired themselves. By following a few simple tips, you can create a safer sleeping environment for your baby.

Lay your baby on his or her back to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
We know that stuffed animals, bumpers and all those cute accessories make a baby’s crib seem warm and cozy. Unfortunately, they can often do more harm than good. Soft bedding can block a baby’s airway during sleep. A firm mattress covered with a tight-fitting crib sheet is all you need to make your baby sleep like a baby.
If you’re worried about keeping your baby warm on those cold winter nights, try using a sleepsack (wearable blanket). They’re pretty cozy.
Most infant suffocation occurs during sleep but don’t worry, your baby will be fine. Just spend a little time to make sure your crib is safe.
- If you can fit a can of soda between the slats of a crib, that means a child’s head, hand or foot could get stuck.
- Make sure the mattress is firm and fits snugly; otherwise a child could get stuck between the gaps. Cover it with a crib sheet with nothing else in it.
Babies should not sleep on beds, sofas, recliners, chairs, soft surfaces, bouncy chairs or baby swings. If this happens, make sure to return your baby to a safe sleep environment.
New parents have a million things to do, but learning CPR should be on the top of the list. It will give you tremendous peace of mind – and the more peace of mind you have as a parent, the better.