Parents & Caregivers

You can reduce the risk of infant death from suffocation by being aware of and following safe sleeping practices. Take a look at these helpful tips–and always put your baby on their back to sleep until their first birthday.

1. A baby should sleep in the same room as an adult but in their own crib. Never put your baby to sleep on a couch, chair, water bed or other soft space.
2. Don’t put crib bumpers, blankets, pillows or toys in your baby’s crib.
3. The only thing in baby’s crib should be a firm mattress & fitted sheet.
4. Never put your baby to sleep in a crib made more than 10 years ago or that has missing or broken parts.
5. Don’t make the room your baby sleeps in too hot. Dress your baby in no more than one more layer than you are wearing.
6. Always put your baby back in their crib after feeding.
7. Keep your baby away from smoke, alcohol & illegal drugs.
8. Tell everyone who cares for your baby about safe sleep and insist on your baby sleeping in a safe place.
9. Your baby is safe when placed alone, on his or her back in a crib or bassinet each and every time he or she sleeps. Even five minutes in an unsafe sleep condition could cause death.
10. The crib or bassinet should have no blankets, bumpers, pillows or toys. These items can interfere with your baby’s ability to breathe. Your baby can become stuck in them or roll into them and suffocate.
11. Your baby should always sleep alone. Sleeping with another person could lead to suffocation or smothering resulting in infant death. Adults don’t believe that sleeping with their baby will cause death but it does happen.
12. Even a few minutes on an adult bed is risky for your baby. A baby’s tiny mouth or nose can be pressed into a position that makes it impossible for them to breathe.
13. Sofas and chairs are very dangerous for your sleeping baby. Your baby should sleep in a crib, on his or her back every time he or she sleeps.
14. It’s your baby. It’s your choice. Tell everyone who cares for your baby about safe sleep and insist on your baby sleeping in a safe condition.

Four Tips for Baby’s Comfort

• Babies should be held skin-to-skin with mom as soon as possible after they are born, at least for the first hour.
• Take care of yourself and your baby—eat well and see a doctor regularly.
• Stay up to date on all required shots for your baby.
• Give your baby a pacifier at nap time and bedtime.