Tips to Help Baby Get a Restful and Safe Night of Sleep

Learning how to create a safe sleep environment for you baby is as easy as learning four simple rules!

SLEEP ALONE. Your baby should always sleep alone for every sleep. Babies should always sleep alone in a safe crib, NEVER in bed with anyone or anything, not even for naps. A baby in a bed can have someone roll on top of them and cause suffocation. Share a room, but not a bed.

ON BACK. Babies should ALWAYS sleep on their back, even for naps. Research has shown that back sleeping greatly decreases the risk of sleep-related causes of infant deaths like SUID (Sudden Unexplained Infant Death), commonly referred as SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). As your baby gets older, they will roll over by themselves-usually at 4-5 months of age. When this happens, you do not need to reposition them.

EMPTY CRIB. There should be NOTHING else in the crib with your baby. Toys and stuffed animals are cute, but they should never share a crib with your baby. Don’t put pillows, quilts, comforters, blankets, stuffed animals, or other items in the crib. Wedges, positioners, and bumper pads should not be used either. There is no evidence that bumper pads prevent injuries, and there is a potential risk of suffocation, strangulation, or entrapment. Blankets are not recommended. Dress your baby in light sleep clothing, such as a one-piece sleeper or sleep sack.

SMOKE FREE. Babies should ALWAYS sleep in a smoke-free environment. You already know that secondhand smoke is harmful to adults. But, it’s even more dangerous for babies. This isn’t only limited to cigarette smoke either. Any kind of smoke can be a health risk for babies. Make sure that everyone who will be caring for your infant is non-smoking, and that they create a smoke-free zone for the baby.

These helpful tips will allow your baby to sleep safe and sound. Help us spread the word: Pin it, Tweet it, and Share it!

For a complete list of the American Academy of Pediatrics Safe Sleep guidelines click here.