Baby Safety and Safe Sleep Enviornments

Each year in the U.S., thousands of babies die suddenly and unexpectedly. These deaths are called SUID (pronounced Soo-id), which stands for “Sudden Unexpected Infant Death.

SUID vs SIDS: what's the difference?

SUID includes all unexpected deaths: those without a clear cause, such as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and those from a known cause, such as suffocation. One-half of all SUID cases are SIDS. Many unexpected infant deaths are accidents, but a disease or something done on purpose can also cause a baby to die suddenly and unexpectedly.

“Sleep-related causes of infant death” are those linked to how or where a baby sleeps or slept. These deaths are due to accidental causes, such as suffocation, entrapment or strangulation. Entrapment is when the baby gets trapped between two objects, such as a mattress and a wall, and can’t breathe. Strangulation is when something presses on or wraps around the baby’s neck, blocking the baby’s airway. These deaths are not SIDS.

baby sleeping in parents bed in basinet

Safe Sleep Environment: baby is sleeping on his back, in his own bed and in the same room as his parents with no pillows, blankets, toys, stuffed animals, or bumpers in the bed.

What is an infant safe-sleep environment?

How to create a safe sleep environment:

  • Always place a baby on his or her back to sleep — for naps and at night — to reduce the risk of SUID.
  • Use a firm sleep surface, covered by a fitted sheet.
    • A crib, bassinet, portable crib or play yard that conforms to the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission is recommended.
  • Your baby should not sleep in an adult bed, on a couch or on a chair alone, with you or with anyone else.
  • Keep your baby’s bed in the same room where you sleep (for the infant’s first year); room sharing not bed sharing.
    • Always place the baby in a safety-approved crib, bassinet or portable crib for sleep.
  • Sitting devices like bouncy seats, swings, infant carriers or strollers should not be used for routine sleep.
  • Keep soft objects such as pillows and blankets, toys and bumpers out of your baby’s sleep area.
  • Wedges and positioners should not be used.
  • Do not smoke during pregnancy or allow smoking around your baby.
  • Do not let your sleeping baby get too hot.
  • Breastfeed your baby.
  • Give your baby a dry pacifier that is not attached to a string for naps and at night to reduce the risk of SIDS, after breastfeeding is established.
  • Supervised Skin to Skin is recommended to all mothers and infants immediately following birth regardless of feeding or delivery, (as soon as mother is medically stable, awake and able to respond to her newborn) and to continue for at least an hour. Once mother starts to get sleepy, return baby to bassinet.
  • Follow health care provider guidance on your baby’s vaccines and regular health checkups.
  • Give your baby plenty of tummy time when he or she is awake and someone is watching.

Baby safety checklist:

Use an age-appropriate car seat on every ride:

Protect your baby from falls off furnitire or down the stairs:

  • Never leave a baby unattended on furniture.
  • Always keep one hand on baby when changing diapers.
  • Use safety gates at the tops and bottoms of stairs.

Check smoke alarms in your house and baby's room:

  • Check smoke alarms once a month to ensure proper operation.
  • Plan and practice home escape routes.

Install a carbon monoxide detector:

  • Even small amounts of carbon monoxide can cause life-threatening illness or death in young children.

Lock away household cleaners, medicines and vitamins:

  • Buy child-resistant packaging.
  • Keep poisonous substances and plants out of sight and reach of children.
  • Secure appropriate cabinet doors and drawers with cabinet locks.

Prepare for emergencies:

  • Place emergency numbers next to each telephone.
  • Program emergency numbers into each cell phone.
  • Be sure to have a first aid kit.
  • Find and take CPR and first aid classes in your area.

Safeguard your home's windows:

  • Consider installing safety guards on second floor and higher windows.
  • Window screens are not safety guards.
  • Never place a crib near a window.
  • Use safety tassels or cord wind-ups with curtains or blinds to prevent strangulation.

Follow national safety standards for cribs:

Follow proper baby sleeping protocols:

  • Babies always sleep alone, in their own separate sleep space, but in the caregiver’s room for the first 6 months of life
  • Place baby on their back to sleep for every sleep
  • Keep the crib free of toys, pillows or blankets
  • Avoid overheating, no hats for inside sleeping, only layer of clothing more than the caregiver is wearing will be adequate
  • Avoid smoking, vaping, and impairment during pregnancy and while caring for baby
  • Attend all medical appointments and keep up with baby’s vaccinations

Never leave your baby unattended near or in water:

  • Children can drown in one-inch of water in a bathtub, bucket, toilet bowl or other containers.
  • Home pools should be surrounded by a four-sided, 5-foot fence with a self-closing latch gate.

Protect your baby from scalds and burns:

  • Set your water heater at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
  • Always check bath water for “hot spots.”
  • Consider anti-scald devices for faucets or shower heads.

Helpful resources for baby safety include:

Find more safe sleep information at Cribs for Kids
Download the safe sleep enviornment guide.