Ensuring a Safe Sleep Environment

Bringing a new little one into this world is an amazing experience you’ll never forget. As your little one grows, one of the biggest jobs you have as a parent is keeping that new baby of yours safe and providing them with a safe sleep environment.

In an effort to reduce the risks of sleep-related infant deaths and incidents, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has established safe sleep guidelines that parents should follow to keep their baby safe when sleeping. The guidelines for safe sleep environment include:

• Following the ABCs of safe sleep: place Baby Alone, on their Back, in their Crib (or other safe sleeping place).

• Do not place any soft bedding in your baby’s sleep area. This includes loose blankets or pillows, stuffed animals, or other soft objects. This also includes crib bumper pads, which are not conducive to a safe sleeping environment for babies. 

• Your baby should sleep on a firm mattress that does not conform to their head shape, and should not be placed to sleep on a regular bed, couch, or other soft surface that could contour to their body and create a risk of accidental suffocation. AAP recommends using a firm mattress with a tightly fitted sheet only.

• Consider room-sharing with your baby, but not bed-sharing. The AAP recommends doing this for at least the first 6 months and optimally, for the first year of your baby’s life.

• Keep your baby at a comfortable temperature to avoid overheating. Dress your baby in appropriate clothing that does not cover their face or head. Consider using a safe wearable blanket, like a sleep sack.

• Avoid the use of wedges or positioners.

How will you ensure a safe sleeping environment for your little one?