Safe Sleep Practices

Always Place Your Baby on Their Back to Sleep: The safest position for your baby to sleep is on their back, for every sleep, including naps and nighttime. This position reduces the risk of SIDS.

Use a Firm, Flat Sleep Surface: Your baby should sleep on a firm mattress covered with a tightly fitted sheet. Avoid using soft bedding, pillows, quilts, or bumper pads, as these can pose suffocation hazards.

Keep the Sleep Area Free of Hazards: The crib, cradle, or bassinet should be free of toys, stuffed animals, and loose bedding. These items can obstruct your baby’s breathing.

Room Share, But Do Not Bed Share: Place your baby’s crib, cradle, or bassinet in your bedroom for the first six months. Room sharing can reduce the risk of SIDS by up to 50%, but avoid bed sharing as it increases the risk of suffocation and other sleep-related incidents.

Maintain a Smoke-Free Environment: Exposure to smoke increases the risk of SIDS. Ensure that your home is smoke-free, and avoid exposing your baby to secondhand smoke, including from cannabis and vaping.

Avoid Overheating: Dress your baby in light sleep clothing and keep the room at a comfortable temperature. Overheating is a risk factor for SIDS. If you need to use a blanket, choose a thin, lightweight, and breathable one.

Breastfeed Your Baby: Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. The longer you breastfeed, the greater the protective effect.

Use a Pacifier: Offering a pacifier at nap time and bedtime can reduce the risk of SIDS. If you are breastfeeding, wait until breastfeeding is well established before introducing a pacifier.