You can see this scene all over the country: retail stores showing cribs and bassinets decorated with blankets, pillows, stuffed animals and bumper pads. As adults, pillows and blankets make us feel warm and cozy, but for your baby, all of those soft materials create a dangerous place to sleep. Information from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that more than 600 babies die every year due to sleep-­‐related suffocation—that’s about two deaths every day. These and other sleep-­‐related deaths can be reduced, and no family should have to experience this heartache.

Parents and child caregivers can remember the steps for safe sleep by using the ABCs: Alone on the Back in a Crib. If you want to keep your baby close to you while you’re sleeping, place him in a safety-­‐approved crib, bassinet or portable play yard near your bed. Your baby should be positioned on her back every time she sleeps, and keep soft items and toys out of her sleep area. Because a baby’s airway can be blocked when soft objects cover her face, pillows, blankets, stuffed animals and bumper pads can cause suffocation. For the same reason, couches, chairs and adult beds are not safe places for your baby to sleep.

Some other tips to remember:

The ABCs of safe sleep: Alone on the Back in a Crib.

Alone:

• To keep your baby close when you’re sleeping, share the room but not your bed.
• Keep pillows, blankets, bumper pads, stuffed animals, toys and other soft bedding materials out of your baby’s sleep area.

On the Back:

• Place your baby on his back every time he sleeps. Sleeping on his back does not increase your baby’s chances of choking.
• Sleep-­‐positioning products such as wedges that claim to keep your baby safe are dangerous and not recommended.

In a Crib:

• Use a firm sleep surface covered by a tightly-­‐fitting sheet, such as in a safety-­‐ approved crib, bassinet, or portable play yard, every time your baby sleeps. Couches, chairs and beds are too soft, can trap your baby between cushions, and are dangerous places for infants to sleep.
• If your baby falls asleep in a car seat, stroller or carrier, move your baby to her crib or bassinet to sleep.
• Make sure the crib, bassinet or portable play yard is in good condition, meets current safety standards, and has not been recalled. Check at www.recalls.gov to be sure that your baby products have not been recalled.

For more information on this and other topics, visit www.PreventChildInjury.org.