Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Although the number of deaths from SIDS has decreased in recent years, about 2,500 babies die from SIDS each year. Children’s National has a team of researchers, doctors, and staff committed to learning more about SIDS and educating parents about ways to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Follow these tips to create a safe sleep environment and help reduce the risk of SIDS for infants.
Babies should always sleep on their backs.
Place baby on his/her back to sleep at night time and naptime.
Babies shouldn’t sleep on their side. They may roll to face down position.
Every baby should sleep in his/her own crib.
Place baby on a firm mattress in a safety-approved crib.
Remove all fluffy and loose bedding from the sleep area. The only thing that should be in the crib is the baby.
Make sure baby’s head and face stay uncovered during sleep.
Use blanket sleepers instead of blankets during colder months.
Babies from birth to age 6 months should sleep in the same room with their parents.
Babies should not sleep on the same sleep surface with their parents.
Bring the baby into your bed for cuddling and feeding, but return the baby to his/her crib when you are ready to go back to sleep.
Don’t let baby get too warm during sleep. A general rule is that babies need one more layer than you do.
Use pacifiers at naptime and bedtime during the first year, but not during the first month for breast-fed babies.
Breastfeeding is best!
Make sure your baby gets all the recommended vaccinations.
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