Safe Sleeping for Baby
\n \u0009\u0009 Each year in the United States, thousands of babies die suddenly and unexpectedly. These deaths are called SUID (pronounced Soo-id), which stands for “Sudden Unexpected Infant Death.”\n \u0009\u0009 \n
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\n \u0009\u0009 SUID includes all unexpected deaths: those without a clear cause, such as SIDS, and those from a known cause, such as suffocation. One-half of all SUID cases are SIDS. Many unexpected infant deaths are accidents, but a disease or something done on purpose can also cause a baby to die suddenly and unexpectedly.\n \u0009\u0009 \n
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\n \u0009\u0009 “Sleep-related causes of infant death” are those linked to how or where a baby sleeps or slept. These deaths are due to accidental causes, such as suffocation, entrapment, or strangulation. Entrapment is when the baby gets trapped between two objects, such as a mattress and a wall, and can’t breathe. Strangulation is when something presses on or wraps around the baby’s neck, blocking the baby’s airway. These deaths are not SIDS.\n \u0009\u0009 \n
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\n \u0009\u0009 What does an infant safe sleeping environment look like? \n \u0009\u0009 \n
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\n \u0009\u0009 To create a safe sleep environment:\n \u0009\u0009 \n
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- \n \u0009\u0009 Always place a baby on his or her back to sleep, for naps and at night, to reduce the risk of SUID.\n \u0009\u0009 \n
- \n \u0009\u0009 Use a firm sleep surface, covered by a fitted sheet; a crib, bassinet, portable crib or play yard that conforms to the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is recommended.\n \u0009\u0009 \n
- \n \u0009\u0009 Your baby should not sleep in an adult bed, on a couch or on a chair alone, with you, or with anyone else.\n \u0009\u0009 \n
- \n \u0009\u0009 Keep your baby’s sleep area in the same room where you sleep (for the infants first year). Room sharing not bed sharing. Always place the baby in a safety-approved crib, bassinet, portable crib for sleep.\n \u0009\u0009 \n
- \n \u0009\u0009 Sitting devices like bouncy seats, swings, infant carriers or strollers should not be used for routine sleep.\n \u0009\u0009 \n
- \n \u0009\u0009 Keep soft objects such as pillows and blankets, toys and bumpers out of your baby’s sleep area.\n \u0009\u0009 \n
- \n \u0009\u0009 Wedges and positioners should not be used.\n \u0009\u0009 \n
- \n \u0009\u0009 Do not smoke during pregnancy or allow smoking around your baby.\n \u0009\u0009 \n
- \n \u0009\u0009 Do not let your baby get too hot during sleep.\n \u0009\u0009 \n
- \n \u0009\u0009 Breastfeed your baby.\n \u0009\u0009 \n
- \n \u0009\u0009 Give your baby a dry pacifier that is not attached to a string for naps and at night to reduce the risk of SIDS after breastfeeding is established.\n \u0009\u0009 \n
- \n \u0009\u0009 Supervised Skin to Skin is recommended to all mothers and infants immediately following birth regardless of feeding or delivery, (as soon as mother is medically stable, awake and able to respond to her newborn) and to continue for at least an hour. Once mother starts to get sleepy, return baby to bassinet.\n \u0009\u0009 \n
- \n \u0009\u0009 Follow healthcare provider guidance on your baby’s vaccines and regular health checkups. \n \u0009\u0009 \n
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\n \u0009\u0009 For additional information and education on safe sleep please visit: cribsforkids.org.\u0009\u0009 \n