Five safe sleep tips for your baby
Ensuring your baby enjoys a restful and secure night is a top priority for any parent.
Here are a few safe sleep practices you can use to reduce risks and promote healthy sleep habits:
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep. Position your baby on their back for sleep, both during naps and overnight. Data from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows this lowers the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- Use a firm sleep surface. Make sure your baby’s crib or bassinet has a firm mattress covered with a fitted sheet.
- Keep soft objects and loose bedding out of the sleep area. That includes pillows, bumper pads, stuffed animals and soft toys. These can increase the risk of suffocation and other sleep-related dangers. It is safe to place newborns in a swaddle or swaddle blanket, but avoid loose blankets.
- Room-share, don’t bed-share. Have your baby sleep close to your bed in a crib or bassinet. By sharing a room, but not a bed, you reduce the risk of SIDS.
- Avoid overheating. Dress your baby in appropriate clothing for the room temperature, and look for signs of overheating, such as sweating or a hot chest.
By following these guidelines, you create a safe and nurturing sleep environment that supports your baby’s health and well-being. Sweet dreams!