10/24/2025
About 3,400 babies in the U.S. die suddenly & unexpectedly every year while sleeping, often due to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or accidental deaths from suffocation or strangulation.
➡️ Here is what the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends for infant sleep safety:
• Until their first birthday, babies should sleep on their backs for all sleep times—naps and at night. We know babies who sleep on their backs are much less likely to die of SIDS than babies who sleep on their stomachs or sides.
• If your baby falls asleep in a car seat, stroller, swing, infant carrier, or sling, you should move baby to a firm sleep surface on their back as soon as possible.
• Use a firm sleep surface. A crib, bassinet, portable crib, or play yard is recommended along with a tight-fitting, firm mattress and fitted sheet. Nothing else should be in the crib except for baby.
• Only bring your baby into your bed to feed or comfort. Place your baby back in their own sleep space when you are ready to go to sleep.
• Bed-sharing is not recommended for any babies. Not all of you will like this point, but it is nonetheless recommended.
• Room share: keep baby's sleep area in the same room where you sleep for the first 6 months or, ideally, for the first year. The AAP recommends room sharing because it can decrease the risk of SIDS by as much as 50% and is much safer than bed sharing.
• Keep soft objects, loose bedding, or any objects that could increase the risk of entrapment, suffocation, or strangulation out of the baby's sleep area. If you are worried about your baby getting cold, you can use infant sleep clothing, such as a wearable blanket. In general, your baby should be dressed with only one layer more than you are wearing.
• Do not let your child fall asleep on nursing pillows or pillow-like lounging pads.
• Never place your baby to sleep on a couch, sofa, or armchair.
• It is fine to swaddle your baby. However, make sure that the baby is always on their back when swaddled.
• Try giving a pacifier at nap time and bedtime. This helps reduce the risk of SIDS, even if it falls while sleeping. If you are bodyfeeding, wait until it is going well before offering a pacifier.
