There are so many things for parents to research and learn before welcoming a new baby into the family. One of the most important things is safe sleep.
Safe sleep is as easy as A, B, C. Babies should sleep Alone, on their Back, in a Crib.
Baby should always sleep alone.
- Don't sleep in the same bed as baby. Room-sharing is recommended but bedsharing is not.
- Keep pillows, blankets, toys, stuffed animals, and all other soft items out of the sleep space.
- Babies can use a pacifier in the crib if it is not attached to the baby, their clothes, or any part of the crib. If a pacifier falls out of their mouth, that’s ok.
Baby should sleep on the back.
- Place baby on their back to sleep tummy to play.
They will eventually learn how to roll from back to tummy and tummy to back. Once they can confidently roll over both ways on their own, it’s ok to leave them like that, but always place them on their back initially.
- Help to prevent flat spots on the head by changing sleep direction daily.
Baby should always sleep in a crib.
- Use a crib, bassinet, or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet. Babies can sleep in a swaddle until they’re 8 weeks old and in a sleep sack with their arms out after that.
- Keep crib empty. Remove loose bedding, bumpers, and toys as they can put safety as risk.
- Avoid using sleep positioning devices. There is no evidence these are effective and in some cases, they pose a danger to baby if they roll out of the device.
*As with any baby products, do your research, check for recalls, register your product, and read the manual before using a new or used crib, play yard, or other product.
Ensuring a baby's safety is crucial at all stages of their development, not just during sleep. For comprehensive guidance on baby care, Porch offers valuable advice and resources tailored to various aspects of infant safety and nurturing. This can be an essential resource for parents seeking information on how to best care for their child.
