Safe Sleep and Your Baby
A safe sleep space for baby will help prevent suffocation.
The ABCDs of safe sleep:
Alone, Back, Crib, Dangers
Baby should sleep...
Alone
Your baby should sleep without pillows, blankets, bumpers, toys, people, pets, or other soft objects.
On his or her Back
Your baby should sleep on their back on a firm, flat surface for every sleep.
In a Crib
Your baby should sleep in a crib, bassinet, play yard, or baby box in the same room as the caregiver.
Room sharing is recommended for the first year.
Without Dangers
Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, or using drugs when pregnant or caring for baby.
Sleep in a smoke-free environment.
Avoid overheating by dressing baby lightly.
Stop swaddling when baby starts trying to roll.
SLEEPING IN THE SAME BED AS BABY IS NOT RECOMMENDED AND IS MORE RISKY IF:
- Baby is less than 4 months old.
- Baby was born prematurely or with a low birth weight.
- The baby’s mother smoked during pregnancy.
- The person bed-sharing is a smoker.
- The person bed-sharing used drugs or drank any amount of alcohol.
- The person bed-sharing is not one of the baby’s parents.
- The surface the baby is sleeping on is soft, such as a couch, armchair, or adult mattress.
- Baby is sleeping with soft bedding such as pillows and blankets.
Source: AAP Safe Sleep Policy Statement, 2016
Read more at safekidsaustin.org.