Safe Sleep Recommendations

Safe Sleep 101

THE PROBLEM: Tragically, more than 3,500 babies in the U.S. and about 40 babies in Oregon die suddenly and unexpectedly every year while sleeping. Most of these deaths are associated with unsafe sleep environments (for example, blankets in a crib, sleeping on an adult bed, or sleeping with another person in a bed or couch, etc.).

These Deaths are Largely Preventable. The tragedy of infants dying in their sleep is often handled as a private and personal loss. But, it is a public health crisis and there is a solution!

We know you want to keep your baby safe while they sleep. 

Below is a breakdown of the safe sleep recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics based on decades of research.  Click HERE to read the full report from the AAP.

Put your baby on their back for each sleep – this includes for naps and at night.

  • All babies, including those who were premature and those with reflux, should be put on their backs to sleep until 1 year of age.

  • Babies who are put to sleep on their backs are at lower risk of SIDS than babies who are placed on their stomachs or sides.

  • Once babies are able to roll from their back to their stomach and from their stomach to their back by themselves, you can leave them in the sleep position they choose after starting sleep on their back.

  • If they can’t roll from their stomach to their back on their own yet, you can reposition them to their back if they roll onto their stomach during sleep.

 Use a firm and flat sleep surface.

  • Never place your baby on a couch, sofa, or chair for sleep, or on other soft surfaces like sheepskin, pillow top mattresses, waterbeds, or soft blankets.

  • Don’t let your baby fall asleep on a nursing pillow or positioning pillow.

  • A tilted sleep surface with one end higher than the other, can cause baby’s body to slide down and their head to slump forward, which can block their breathing.

  • If a baby falls asleep in a carrier or device like a car seat, stroller, or sling, move them to their regular sleep space as soon as possible. The AAP recommends giving baby breaks from their sitting device every few hours.

  • Look for sleep spaces that meet the CPSC safety standards.

Room share with your baby, but do not bed share.

  • Room share with your baby for at least the first 6 months. This allows you to quickly respond to your babies needs at night.

  • Do not share an adult bed, couch, or armchair with your baby because this is very high risk for suffocation, entrapment, and falls.

  • If you bring the baby to your bed for feeding or comforting, move away all soft items and bedding from your side of the bed in case you fall asleep. If you do fall asleep while the baby is in your bed, put them back in their separate sleep area as soon as you wake up.

 Keep other objects and loose bedding out of your baby’s sleep area.

  • Use a sleep sack if your baby loosens or escapes their swaddle blanket. (You can sew your own sleep sack: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HEALTHYPEOPLEFAMILIES/BABIES/Documents/sleepsack.pdf)

  • When your baby starts trying to roll over, stop swaddling your baby.

 Avoid overheating.

  • Babies can get overheated if they’re wearing too many layers or too thick of blankets for the temperature of the room. They should be comfortable wearing just one layer more than you.

  • Overheated babies are at higher risk for SIDS.

  • Wearing hats while indoors can make babies too hot, so take off baby’s hat when indoors.

  • Be careful about buying baby products.

  • Avoid baby products that go against safe sleep recommendations. Many baby positioners have been recalled due to risk for causing infant suffocation and death. Check the CPSC website for recalls (https://www.cpsc.gov/).

  • Don’t use home monitors as a way to reduce risk of SIDS. There’s no evidence that they work to decrease risk, and they may provide a false sense of security. If you do choose to use one of these monitors, still follow all the same safe sleep recommendations.

 Other things that can help:

  • Feed your baby human milk.

  • Don’t smoke, drink alcohol, or use other substances during pregnancy or after your baby is born.

  • Give your baby tummy time when they’re awake and someone’s watching them.

  • Get regular medical care for yourself during pregnancy and for your baby after birth.

 References:

 

Click on image to download Safe Sleep information in multiple languages.