Preparing for a baby can be overwhelming, but setting up safe sleep is an absolute must. In this article, we will go over the basics of safe sleep for babies under one year. Understanding the elements of safe sleep will help prevent the risk of SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Safe sleep can be as simple as ABCS. Babies should sleep Alone, on their Backs, in a Crib, and in a Smoke-free environment.

Alone (but nearby)

Babies are safer from SIDS or accidental suffocation if they are in their own crib. After all, an adult cannot roll over onto a baby who is in a separate sleeping space. It is recommended that babies sleep in the same room, but not the same bed, as their caregiver until the age of six months or more. This means that babies should be in a crib, bassinet, or portable play yard. Sharing a room, but not a bed, if safest for your baby.

On their backs

All babies should be placed to sleep on their backs until the age of one year old. Sleeping on their backs helps reduce the risk of SIDS. Do not allow other caregivers to place your baby on its stomach to sleep. Some older friends and family members may have put their own babies on their stomachs to sleep, but our knowledge of SIDS risks and sleep safety has changed over the years.

In a crib

Your baby’s sleeping surface should be firm, flat, and level. How do you know if your baby’s mattress is firm? If you press on the mattress, it should quickly return to its original position. Avoid soft surfaces such as couches, sofas, waterbeds, memory foam, air and pillow-top mattresses, quilts, blankets, and sheepskin. Soft surfaces can entrap and suffocate a baby. Remember, babies are not strong enough to rescue themselves from getting trapped in a soft surface or corner.

Smoke-free

The healthiest air for a baby is smoke-free. Being around smoking raises a baby’s chances for SIDS. Maternal smoking is also a risk factor for SIDS, so quitting smoking while pregnant is a great idea. Avoid third-hand smoke, which is the smoke residue on clothing, carpets, toys, and furniture. Babies are often very close to surfaces contaminated with third-hand smoke, so it can pose a greater risk to them than adults.

The ABCS of safe sleep

Babies spend a lot of time sleeping, and it can be tempting to allow them to sleep anywhere. Unfortunately, many tempting sleep surfaces can result in increasing the risk of SIDS or suffocation. Choose a sleep environment that is safest for your baby, and remember that they should be:

• Alone

• On their back

• In a crib

• In a smoke-free environment

About SIDS of Illinois

Sudden Infant Death Services of Illinois, Inc., is a not for profit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the prevention of sudden, unexpected infant death by providing educational programs to families, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, childcare providers, and the general public as well as bereavement services to families and any others who have experienced the tragedy of sudden, unexpected infant death. Donate here to become a Safe Sleep Supporter!