As a new parent, one of the most important decisions you will make is where your baby will sleep.
Problem:
Every year, there are thousands of sleep-related deaths among babies.
- 22% of mothers report NOT placing their baby on his or her back to sleep.
- 39% of mothers report using soft bedding when placing babies to sleep.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/safesleep/index.html
What Can Be Done
The following practices can help lower the risk of sleep-related infant deaths.
Do:
- Do place your baby on his or her back to sleep, for naps and at night, alone, and in a crib.
- Do make sure the baby’s crib has a firm mattress that fits snugly with no space between the mattress and the side of the crib, and a tight-fitting sheet.
- Do use a wearable blanket or other type of sleeper to keep your baby warm.
- Do make sure your baby has a safe place to sleep when visiting and traveling.
Do Not:
- Do not put your baby to sleep on an adult bed, sofa, waterbed, air-mattress, or another soft surface – even for a nap.
- Do not place pillows, bumpers, blankets, and stuffed toys in the baby’s crib.
- Do not let your baby get too warm.