There are many stories of good parents who were simply exhausted, didn’t know the risks of sharing a bed, or didn’t think losing a child would happen to them. Maybe parents have been given bad advice by a well meaning friend, family member or even child care provider.
Remember the ABC's of Safe Sleep - Alone, on the Back and in a Crib.
- The safest place for your baby to sleep is in the room with you, but not in your bed.
- Place your baby alone in a safety-approved crib with a firm mattress covered with only a fitted sheet.
- Consider using a wearable blanket or other sleeper instead of a blanket to avoid the risk of overheating.
- Cribs should be free from toys, soft bedding blankets and pillows.
- Place baby in a smoke-free environment.
- A car seat is an appropriate place for baby to sleep while traveling in a car.
- Discuss safe sleep practices with everyone who cares for your baby - daycare, babysitters, family and friends.
About one in five sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) deaths occur while an infant is in the care of someone other than a parent. Many of these deaths occur when babies who are used to sleeping on their backs at home are placed to sleep on their tummies by another caregiver. We call this "unaccustomed tummy sleeping." SIDS has been reduced by over 40 percent since the Back to Sleep Campaign was developed in 1994.
Did you know that exposure to secondhand smoke increases you baby's risk of SIDS and respiratory illness? Research also warns us of the dangers of thirdhand smoke - the chemicals left behind on skin, hair, clothing, in homes and in cars.
Be an advocate for Safe Sleep practices - Tell Everyone!