The AAP recommends that infants sleep on their back, on a firm, flat surface, in a crib or bassinet that meets current safety standards, with no soft bedding, bumpers, pillows, or toys. Room-sharing (but not bed-sharing) for the first 6 months reduces the risk of SIDS by up to 50%. The safest sleep environment is one that is bare — if you can’t put it in their sleep space, it shouldn’t be there.
The first few months at home with a newborn can be especially stressful, especially when it comes to sleep. Here are Dr. Jessica Long‘s tips on how to keep your sleeping baby safe.
I am expecting my third daughter in the Spring and the thought of going back to sleepless nights is sort of terrifying. Nothing plagues parents of small children like sleep – or lack thereof – and you would be hard pressed to find a new parent who can get through a conversation without mentioning their baby’s horrible sleep patterns. While I worry about the late night awakenings, I at least do not have to stress about how I put my baby down at night to keep her as safe as possible. With these simple tips you don’t have to either.
Back in the day when we were all babies, most parents placed their little ones on their bellies to sleep. In the 1990s, as studies showed that belly sleeping increased baby’s risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), the Back To Sleep Campaign championed a safer sleep position. Since then, the number of SIDS deaths has dropped precipitously – by more than 40% – and we now know of other simple steps you can take to keep your child safe at night.
Babies should sleep in their own space – not in the bed with their parents but ideally in the same room. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends keeping your child in a crib or bassinet in your room for ideally the first year but definitely the first six months. Your little one should have a flat, firm mattress with no pillows, blankets, bumper pads or stuffed animals. Instead of loose blankets that can be wiggled around to accidentally cover a child’s face, you can place your baby in a sleep sack. While they are adorable, baby crib bumpers should be avoided due to cases of babies smothering in them. Yes, a bare crib looks boring but boring is safe when it comes to a baby who cannot move to protect her breathing.
There are many products out there that promise to provide further protection against SIDS. Everything from heart monitors that link to your smart phone to bassinets with build in fans is available for purchase. The AAP does not endorse any of these devices as they have not been shown to actually reduce the risk of SIDS. Unless your child was sent home from the hospital with additional medical monitoring of breathing or heart rate, save your money and your sanity and skip these unnecessary gimmicks.
While following the ABCs (Alone, on her Back, in a bare Crib) of baby sleep positions may not get you any additional hours of sleep, it will at least let you rest easy that your child is as safe as possible while you both catch some hard earned zzz’s. Happy dreaming!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest sleep position for my baby?
Always place your baby on their back to sleep — for every sleep, including naps — until their first birthday. “Back to sleep” is the single most important step in reducing SIDS risk. Once babies can roll from back to front independently, you do not need to reposition them during the night.
What should my baby’s sleep space look like?
A safe sleep space is firm, flat, and bare: a crib, bassinet, or play yard with a firm mattress covered by a tight-fitting sheet. Nothing else should be in the sleep space — no blankets, pillows, bumper pads, positioners, stuffed animals, or rolled towels. These items pose suffocation and entrapment risks.
Is it safe for my baby to sleep in a swing, bouncer, or car seat?
Inclined sleep products (including swings, bouncers, and car seats outside of a vehicle) are not recommended for routine sleep. They can cause the baby’s head to fall forward and restrict the airway. If your baby falls asleep in one of these devices, move them to a firm, flat sleep surface as soon as safely possible.
Should my baby sleep in my room?
The AAP recommends room-sharing — placing your baby’s crib or bassinet in your bedroom — for at least the first 6 months, ideally the first year. Room-sharing reduces SIDS risk by up to 50% compared to a baby sleeping in a separate room. However, bed-sharing (sleeping in the same bed) significantly increases SIDS risk and is not recommended.
What is SIDS and how common is it?
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the unexplained death of a seemingly healthy baby under 1 year old during sleep. It is the leading cause of death in babies between 1 month and 1 year. SIDS rates have dropped dramatically since the “Back to Sleep” campaign began in 1994. Following safe sleep guidelines significantly reduces risk, though it cannot eliminate it entirely.
Are sleep positioners or "anti-roll" devices safe?
No. The FDA has warned against infant sleep positioners (“nests,” “anti-roll” devices, and similar products). These devices pose a suffocation risk and have been associated with infant deaths. Do not use wedges, rolled blankets, or commercial sleep positioners to keep your baby in a specific position.
