New parents want their children to be healthy and safe, but sometimes they get confused by

different opinions. To help new parents, here is a guide on how to keep your baby safe while
sleeping. Since babies sleep a lot, it's important to follow the best practices for baby sleep
safety.

Why is infant sleep safety crucial?

Safe sleeping practices are crucial for preventing SUID and SIDS in infants, which unfortunately
cause around 3,400 unexpected deaths in the US each year. Many of these tragedies occur
while the baby is sleeping, making it extremely important for parents to take steps to ensure
their baby's safety during sleep.

What sleeping posture is the safest for a baby?

Lori Strong, a certified child sleep consultant, advises placing babies on their backs on a firm,
flat surface when it's time for them to sleep. This helps keep their airway open and reduce the
risk of suffocation. Strong also explains that placing a baby on their stomach can put them in a
dangerous position, as they may not be able to turn their head to free themselves.
The phrase "back to sleep" is used to remind families to put babies on their backs while
sleeping.
Erin Summa, Health Promotion Program Manager at Mary Bridge Children’s Center for
Childhood Safety, suggests placing babies on their backs for the first year. However, when the
baby can roll over on their own and during supervised tummy time, they can be placed on their
stomach. According to Summa, it is important to let the baby do the work of turning over on their
own.
When babies start showing signs of rolling over onto their tummy, which usually happens
between two to four months of age, parents should avoid swaddling them. This is because if
they are swaddled with their arms down and accidentally roll over onto their stomach, they may
not be able to turn themselves back over, which could be dangerous.

When is my infant most vulnerable to SIDS?

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) can happen to babies anytime during their first year of
life, but it mostly occurs between two to four months of age, and 90% of SIDS cases occur
before a baby turns six months old. Although some studies suggest some factors that may
contribute to SIDS, the exact reasons behind it are not fully understood.
But there are certain things that can increase the chances of SIDS, called risk factors.

Racial and Gender distinctions

Some babies are more likely to get SIDS than others due to demographic factors. For example,
boys are a little more prone to SIDS than girls, and nonwhite babies have a higher risk of SIDS
compared to white babies.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the non-Hispanic
Native American/Alaska Native population has the highest number of Sudden Unexpected
Infant Death (SUID) cases per 100,000 live births, followed by the non-Hispanic Black
population.
Babies born too soon or very light at birth
When a baby is born with a weight of fewer than five pounds and eight ounces, it is called low
birth weight. This can happen when a baby is born too early and can cause health issues, such
as a greater chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
To reduce the risk of low birth weight, it's important for pregnant women to get regular prenatal
care, eat a healthy diet, and avoid using drugs, alcohol, and nicotine.

Defects in the brain

Studies show that SIDS could be linked to abnormalities in the brain, specifically in the part of
the brain that controls the heart and breathing functions.

Recently acquired respiratory infection

Some studies suggest that infection and inflammation play a role in SIDS, where respiratory
infections could cause a quick drop in oxygen levels.
One research found that putting babies to sleep on their backs could help because it reduces
their exposure to harmful bacteria.

History of the family

A baby's chances of getting SIDS may be influenced by family history and genetics. The Mayo
Clinic states that if a baby has had siblings or cousins who died from SIDS, their own risk
increases.

Exposure to secondhand smoke

It's important to protect babies from secondhand smoke after they're born, just like pregnant
people should avoid smoking. Even if you smoke in another room, it can still harm the baby.
The best way to keep your baby safe is to make sure your home is free of smoke.

Excessive body temperature

Another risk factor for SIDS is when babies get too hot. To help prevent this, parents should not
cover their baby's head when they sleep and avoid putting loose bedding in the crib. Instead,
they can use a sleep sack to keep their baby comfortable.
However, it's important to avoid using weighted sleep sacks because we don't want to put any
extra weight on a sleeping baby, according to Strong.

How to make a sleeping space that is safe and lower the risk
of SIDS
Breastfeed
Breastfeeding can lower the chances of SIDS in babies. Studies have found that the longer a
baby is only breastfed without any formula or solid food, the lower their risk of SIDS becomes.

Don't share a bed

It's best to avoid sharing a bed with your baby. Instead, they should sleep in their own separate
space without any pets or siblings. According to Summa, it's important for the baby to sleep
alone and not share a bed with a parent as this can increase the risk of a rollover.

Do share a room
Even though it's not recommended to share a bed with your baby, it's encouraged to share a
room. Ideally, the baby should be kept close to your bed for the first year, but at least for the first
six months. Sharing a room can lower the chances of SIDS and also reduce the risks of
suffocation, strangulation, and entrapment.

Keep your ABCs in mind

To ensure safe sleep for babies, we use the ABCs method which means Alone, Back, and Crib.
This means that babies should be put to sleep alone in their crib or bassinet without any toys,
pillows, or blankets. According to Strong, it's best to keep the baby's sleep environment simple
and not have too many things.
Additionally, the baby should be placed on their back to sleep with a firm and flat mattress and
fitted sheet.

Provide a pacifier
Giving a pacifier to your baby can lower the chances of SIDS. But if you're breastfeeding, it's
better to wait until your breastfeeding schedule is set, which usually takes three to four weeks.
It's also important not to force your baby to take a pacifier if they don't want to.

Assuring the safety of your sleeping accessories

Ensure that accessories adhere to government guidelines
Make sure you are familiar with federal safety standards for cribs, bassinets, and other baby
sleep areas. It's important to check if they meet the standards set by the Consumer Product
Safety Commission.
Summa also advises caution when using secondhand cribs and bassinets since the standards
changed in 2011, and drop-side cribs are no longer considered safe. Additionally, it's important
to ensure that your bassinet meets federal safety standards.
In 2022, the Safe Sleep for Babies Act was passed which prohibits the sale, production, and
distribution of crib bumpers and inclined sleepers for infants.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a baby's sleep space should be free of:

● Blankets
● Bumpers
● Toys
● Other objects
Reduce your reliance on home cardiorespiratory monitors
It's not recommended to use home cardiorespiratory monitors unless a doctor has advised it
because they're not proven to reduce SIDS risk. In fact, these monitors can give parents a false
sense of security or even malfunction and cause unnecessary panic.

Is it okay for my kid to take sleep in a swing, stroller, or car

seat?
Although it's normal for babies to fall asleep in a car seat, stroller, or swing, they should not be
sleeping in an inclined position. If your baby does doze off in one of these, it's best to transfer
them to a flat and firm surface for the rest of their sleep.

Guidelines for protecting your unborn child before birth

Regular and early prenatal care can lower the risk of SIDS. Consistent medical check-ups can
identify and prevent any health issues that may increase the chances of SIDS.
Maintaining a healthy diet, and avoiding nicotine, alcohol, or illegal drugs during pregnancy can
also reduce the risk of SIDS.

When to contact a physician

If your baby has trouble breathing or appears to be in distress, it is important to seek medical
attention right away. For general inquiries about your baby's health and safety, you can contact
your pediatrician or seek advice from reliable sources.

One final statement from Sleepopolis

Although the exact causes of SIDS are not clear, there are certain factors that may contribute to
it. A combination of biological conditions and unsafe sleeping conditions during a crucial stage
in a baby's life can increase the risk of SIDS. To prevent this risk, it's crucial to receive regular
prenatal care, follow safe sleep practices, and use the advice given here.
If you have more questions or concerns, you can reach out to your pediatrician for guidance
and suggestions.