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.