Each year, thousands of babies die suddenly and unexpectedly in the United States. In fact, Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUIDs) is the leading cause of deaths for infants age 1 month to 1 year. Some of these deaths result from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), while others come from other sleep-related causes, such as suffocation.
While the cause of many of these deaths remains a mystery, a series of Safe Sleep steps have been determined to lower the risk of a baby dying.
The ABCD’s of Safe Sleep
It’s vital that parents understand the basics of newborn safe sleep. With all of the information being tossed at new parents – especially first-time parents – it can be tough to remember it all. The American Academy of Pediatrics created some steps that are as easy to remember as A-B-C-D.
A. Alone: Stay close, sleep apart. Every baby needs their own Safe Sleep Space. Sleeping in the parents’ bedroom is safest for infants throughout the first year of life.
B. Back: On my back for night and naps. To reduce the risk of SIDS, a baby should always sleep on his/her back and every sleep counts both nighttime sleep as well as nap time.
C. Crib: Clean, clear, crib. A baby should sleep in his/her crib for every sleep. The crib should only contain your baby sleeping on a firm mattress with a fitted sheet.
D. Danger: Be aware, not impaired. Drinking and drug use impair your ability to care for a baby, making bed-sharing and other unsafe sleep even more dangerous for the baby.
Additional Resources:
- Safe Sleep Video Library
- Interactive Sleep Room
- Helping Babies Sleep Safely | Reproductive Health | CDC
