What Is Safe Sleep?

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death among infants between one month and one year of age. This is what you can do to help your baby sleep safely and to reduce your baby’s risk of SIDS.

To create a safe sleep environment:

• Always place a baby on his or her back to sleep, for naps and at night, to reduce the risk of SIDS.
• Use a firm sleep surface, covered by a fitted sheet
• Your baby should not sleep in an adult bed, on a couch or on a chair alone, with you, or with anyone else.
• Keep your baby’s sleep area in the same room where you sleep. Room sharing not bed sharing. Always place the baby in a safety-approved crib, bassinet, portable crib for sleep.
• Sitting devices like bouncy seats, swings, infant carriers, or strollers should not be used for routine sleep.
• Keep soft objects such as pillows and blankets, toys, and bumpers out of your baby’s sleep area.
• Wedges and positioners should not be used.
• Do not smoke during pregnancy or allow smoking around your baby.
• Do not let your baby get too hot during sleep.
• Breastfeed your baby.
• Give your baby a dry pacifier that is not attached to a string for naps and at night to reduce the risk of SIDS.
• Follow health care provider guidance on your baby’s vaccines and regular heath checkups.

Contact us

Still have concerns about SIDS and your baby? Make an appointment with your child’s pediatrician to discuss keeping your baby safe while asleep.

Need a new pediatrician? Call (412) DOCTORS (412) 362-8677 to schedule an appointment at a convenient time with a pediatrician near you.

Parents and Parents-to-be can find helpful information from the National Institute of Child Health & Development Safe to Sleep website:

• About SIDS and Safe Infant Sleep
• Ways to Reduce the Risk of SIDS
• Safe Sleep Interactive Room