Safe Sleep

Each year, thousands of babies die suddenly and unexpectedly in the United States. In fact, Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUIDs) is the leading cause of deaths for infants age 1 month to 1 year. Some of these deaths result from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), while others come from other sleep-related causes, such as suffocation.

While the cause of many of these deaths remains a mystery, a series of Safe Sleep steps have been determined to lower the risk of a baby dying.

The A-B-C-Ds of Safe Sleep

It’s vital that parents understand the basics of newborn safe sleep. With all of the information being tossed at new parents – especially first-time parents – it can be tough to remember it all. The American Association of Pediatrics created some steps that are as easy to remember as A B C D.

ALONE

Babies should always sleep alone. Share the room, but not the bed.

BACK

Babies should always be placed on their backs for nights and naps.

CRIB

A baby’s crib should be clean and clear. Just a fitted sheet. No toys, blankets, or pillows.

DANGER

Be aware, not impaired. Your baby’s life depends on you. Stay attentive.

More Safe Sleeping Tips

  • Always use a firm sleep surface. Car seats and other sitting devices are not recommended for routine sleep.
  • Keep soft objects or loose bedding out of the crib. This includes pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, sleeping wedges, and bumper pads. Babies can suffocate on or be strangled by any extra item in the crib.
  • Sleep clothing, such as fitted, appropriate-sized sleepers, sleep sacks, and wearable blankets are safer for baby than blankets!
  • Research shows that pacifiers are especially helpful for reducing SIDS risk in formula-fed babies. However, to reduce the risk of strangulation, choking, and suffocation, do not attach the pacifier to clothing, or other items.
  • Don’t smoke or vape around the baby. Secondhand smoke in baby’s home, the car, or other spaces where baby spends time also increases the risk of SIDS and other health problems.
  • Adhering to a baby’s recommended vaccination schedule is associated with a lower risk of sleep-related death.
  • It’s OK to swaddle a baby, but stop when they start to learn to roll. This can lead to suffocation.

According to research, babies who are breastfed or are fed expressed breastmilk are at lower risk for SIDS compared with babies who were never fed breastmilk. In fact, the longer you exclusively breastfeed your baby (meaning not supplementing with formula), the lower his or her risk of SIDS.

While breastfeeding lowers the risk of SIDS, it can increase the risk of other issues. It can be tempting to bring your baby into your bed for feeding. If you do, be sure to remove all soft items and bedding from the area to risk suffocation or entanglement if you fall asleep. Beds are comfortable and it’s easy for new, sleep-deprived parents to doze off.

If there is any chance you might fall asleep while breastfeeding, ask someone to stay with you. They can then wake you up or can move the baby to its crib if you fall asleep. If you don’t have someone to help you stay awake, set a timer on your phone to go off every few minutes to keep you awake.

If you do doze off, place your baby on their back in their crib as soon as you wake up. Evidence shows that the longer a parent and baby share the same bed, the greater the risk for sleep-related infant deaths.

Breastfeeding and the reduced risk of SIDS

Additional Resources

 

.
.
.

Kentucky child care providers can obtain 1 ECE TRIS approved clock hour for the following course:

Helping Every Baby Sleep Safer- Cribs for Kids® – What parents and families need to know.