Practice safe sleep: Always place your baby on their back to sleep, on a firm and flat surface, with no soft objects or loose bedding.
Practicing safe sleep is essential for the health and well-being of your newborn baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants always be placed on their back to sleep, on a firm and flat surface, with no soft objects or loose bedding. This helps reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which is the leading cause of death among infants 1 month to 1 year old.
When placing your baby down to sleep, make sure the surface is firm and flat, such as a crib or bassinet that meets current safety standards. Avoid placing your baby on soft surfaces, such as a couch, chair, or adult bed, as these can increase the risk of suffocation.
It’s also important to keep the sleeping area free of soft objects and loose bedding, such as pillows, blankets, and bumpers. This helps reduce the risk of suffocation, entrapment, or other accidents. A fitted sheet on a firm, flat sleep surface is all that is needed.
In addition to following these guidelines, there are other steps you can take to promote safe sleep for your newborn. These include:
By following these guidelines and taking steps to promote safe sleep, you can help ensure the health and well-being of your newborn baby. If you have any concerns or questions about safe sleep, it’s important to talk to your baby’s healthcare provider.
