This page provides essential guidance on safe sleep practices for infants and young children. Creating a safe sleep environment is one of the most important ways to support healthy development and reduce the risk of sleep-related incidents, including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
The tips and trusted resources below are designed to help keep your baby safe.

A safe sleep setup is key to reducing the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related injuries. Follow these evidence-based guidelines:

✅ Firm Sleep Surface — Use a firm mattress that fits snugly in a safety-approved crib, bassinet, or portable crib.
✅ Fitted Sheet Only — Use a fitted sheet that matches the mattress size; avoid loose bedding.
✅ No Soft Items — Keep pillows, blankets, comforters, stuffed animals, and crib bumpers out of the sleep space.
✅ Back to Sleep — Always place your baby on their back for naps and nighttime sleep.
✅ Comfortable Temperature — Dress your baby in light sleep clothing and maintain a comfortable room temperature to prevent overheating.
✅ Smoke-Free Environment — Avoid exposing your baby to secondhand smoke before and after birth.
✅ Room-Sharing, Not Bed-Sharing — Keep baby’s crib or bassinet in your room for at least the first six months but never share the same sleeping surface.
✅ Avoid Sleep Positioners — Wedges, pillows, and positioners marketed as “reducing SIDS” are not safe.
✅ Breastfeeding Helps — Breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of SIDS.
✅ Regular Check-Ins — Gently check on your baby during sleep to ensure safety.

Following these simple practices can dramatically reduce risks and support healthy sleep habits for your baby.

While some families choose to co-sleep, it’s important to understand the risks:

⚠️ Suffocation & SIDS — Soft bedding, pillows, and even an adult’s body can obstruct a baby’s airway.
⚠️ Overheating — Bed-sharing increases the risk of overheating, a known SIDS factor.
⚠️ Entrapment — Babies can become trapped between a mattress, wall, or bed frame.
⚠️ Falls from the Bed — Rolling or shifting can lead to serious injuries.
⚠️ Sleep Disruptions — Baby and parents often wake more frequently.
⚠️ Delayed Independent Sleep Habits — Co-sleeping can make it harder for infants to learn to sleep independently.
⚠️ Parental Fatigue — Extra worry while co-sleeping may lead to unrested, overwhelmed caregivers.

If co-sleeping is chosen, use the safest approach possible—such as a bedside co-sleeper—and remove all soft bedding. Always speak with your pediatrician for personalized guidance.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexplained death of an otherwise healthy infant—usually during sleep.
It remains the leading cause of death for babies between 1 month and 1 year of age, with the highest risk between 2–4 months.

Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) is a broader category that includes SIDS as well as deaths due to accidental suffocation, entrapment, or unknown causes.

• ~1,400 SIDS deaths
   
• ~3,600 total SUID deaths, including SIDS, suffocation, and unexplained cases
   

Public health efforts—especially safe sleep education—have greatly reduced these numbers since the 1990s. Continuing to follow safe sleep guidelines helps save lives.

Explore these reputable sources for additional education, research, and up-to-date safety standards:

Crib Safety, Recalls, & Standards
Ensures infant sleep products meet federal safety requirements.

(National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)
Safe Sleep Toolkit & Parent Resources
A national effort focused on SIDS awareness and safe sleep education.

www.sids.org
Provides research, education, and support for families affected by SIDS.

By staying informed and practicing safe sleep every day, we can reduce preventable risks and give every infant the safest start in life. 💙