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Infant Safe Sleep

Helping Babies Sleep Safely

At Aspirus Health, the safety and well-being of your baby is our highest priority. Safe sleep practices can help reduce the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and other sleep-related infant deaths.

While bringing a new baby home is exciting, it can also come with many questions about sleep. Following safe sleep recommendations every nap and every night can help create the safest possible sleep environment for your baby. Adapted from guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).  

Safe Sleep Recommendations

Always Place Baby on Their Back

For every sleep, including naps and nighttime sleep, place your baby on their back until they reach their first birthday. This is the safest sleep position.

Use a Firm, Flat Sleep Surface

Your baby should sleep on a firm mattress covered by a fitted sheet in a crib, bassinet, or play yard that meets current safety standards. Avoid inclined sleeping surfaces and products that allow your baby to sleep at an angle.

Share a Room, Not a Bed

Keep your baby's sleep area in the same room where you sleep for at least the first six months whenever possible. However, avoid bed sharing, including with twins or multiples.

Keep the Sleep Area Clear

The safest crib is a simple crib. Keep soft objects and loose bedding out of your baby's sleep space, including:

  • Pillows
  • Blankets
  • Quilts and comforters
  • Bumper pads
  • Stuffed animals
  • Sleep positioners
  • Other loose items

These products can increase the risk of suffocation, entrapment, or strangulation.

Avoid Overheating

Dress your baby in lightweight sleep clothing and avoid overbundling. A good rule of thumb is that your baby only needs one more layer than an adult would wear to be comfortable in the same environment.

Additional Ways to Reduce the Risk of SIDS

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding has been associated with a lower risk of SIDS. Any amount of breast milk can provide health benefits for your baby.

Consider a Pacifier

Offering a pacifier at naptime and bedtime may help reduce the risk of SIDS.

  • If breastfeeding, wait until nursing is well established before introducing a pacifier.
  • Never attach a pacifier to clothing, strings, or cords during sleep.
  • Do not force a pacifier if your baby doesn't want one.

Provide Daily Tummy Time

Supervised tummy time while your baby is awake helps support healthy development and reduces pressure on the back of the head.

Keep Up with Well-Baby Visits

Regular pediatric appointments help monitor your baby's health, growth, development, and immunizations.

Avoid Tobacco, Nicotine, Alcohol, and Drugs

Avoid smoking, nicotine products, alcohol, and recreational drugs during pregnancy and after your baby is born. Exposure to these substances increases the risk of sleep-related infant deaths.

Choosing Safe Baby Products

Not all baby products marketed for sleep are safe. Before purchasing sleep-related products, review current recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Aspirus does not recommend products that conflict with safe sleep guidelines, including inclined sleepers and crib accessories that are not considered safe for infant sleep.

Questions About Your Baby's Sleep?

If you have questions about creating a safe sleep environment or concerns about your baby's sleep habits, talk with your pediatrician or your Aspirus care team.

Remember: Back to sleep. Every nap. Every night.