What to know
- Parents and caregivers can help reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths, such as sudden infant death syndrome and accidental suffocation.
- Learn what parents and caregivers can do to help babies sleep safely.
Parents and caregivers
Creating a safe sleep area for babies
CDC supports the 2022 recommendations issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Take the following actions to help reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths.
- Place your baby on his or her back for all sleep times—naps and at night.
- Use a firm, flat (not at an angle or inclined) sleep surface. For example, a mattress in a safety-approved crib, covered by a fitted sheet.
- Keep your baby’s sleep area (for example, a crib or bassinet) in the same room where you sleep, ideally until your baby is at least 6 months old.
- Keep soft bedding out of your baby’s sleep area. This includes blankets, pillows, bumper pads, and soft toys.
- Do not cover your baby’s head or allow your baby to get too hot. Signs your baby may be getting too hot include sweating or his or her chest feels hot.
Additional recommendations to reduce the risk of SIDS
In addition to the recommendations listed above, other recommendations from the AAP include:
- Do not smoke or use nicotine during pregnancy, and do not smoke or allow smoking around your baby. For help quitting, see How to Quit Smoking.
- Do not drink alcohol or use illegal drugs during pregnancy.
- Feed your baby breastmilk. Find out more about breastfeeding your baby to reduce the risk of SIDS.
- Make sure your baby sees their health care provider for well-child visits. Your baby will receive recommended vaccines to help protect against serious diseases.
- Offer your baby a pacifier at nap time and bedtime. If you are breastfeeding your baby, you may want to wait to use a pacifier until breastfeeding is well-established.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/sudden-infant-death/sleep-safely/index.html
