Like any new parent, keeping your baby safe is your top priority. A safe sleep environment is especially important when it comes to reducing the risk of SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which is the sudden and unexpected death of a seemingly healthy baby less than one-year-old (typically during sleep).
There is no guaranteed way to prevent SIDS, but there are a number of proven ways to reduce your baby’s risk. With this in mind, we asked our sleep experts to round up the must-know sleep do’s and don'ts of SIDS prevention.
Check out the list below -- and don’t forget to check out our Baby 101 course to learn everything you need to know for baby, including infant CPR/choking, everyday baby care, sleep, and breastfeeding.
DO:
- Provide baby with their own crib or bassinet.
- Lay your baby on a flat, firm mattress.
- Lay them on their back to sleep.
- Dress them in a one-piece sleeper.
- Keep your baby’s sleep space cool, since body temperatures rise while we sleep.
- Aim for 68-72 degrees.
- Use a wearable blanket or sleep sack product to swaddle, not a loose blanket
- Use a pacifier to help soothe your baby. Studies show that pacifier use in young infants greatly reduces the risk of SIDS.
- Keep your baby close. Room share until your baby is at least 6 months old.
DON’T:
- Put loose blankets, pillows, bumpers, stuffed animals or toys in the crib
- Place your baby on their tummy to sleep. Wait until they can roll into that position independently.
- Dress your baby too warmly. Especially don’t use hats or anything else that will cover baby’s head.
