Help Keep Me Safe When I Sleep

Always place me on my back to sleep

Babies who sleep on their backs have a much lower risk of dying from SIDS and suffocation.

Always place me on a firm surface to sleep.

Babies should sleep only in a safe crib, not on a couch, bed, waterbed, car seat, or swing.

If you put me to sleep in my playpen, leave out the soft bedding like comforters, pillows, extra padding, sheepskin and stuffed toys. 

Soft objects and padding can put baby at risk for suffocation.  Use only the mattress or pad provided by the manufacturer.  The mattress should be firm and fit snuggly inside the crib.  The mattress sheet should be the appropriate size for the mattress.

Keep my face and head uncovered during sleep.

Keep baby’s mouth and nose clear of blankets and other coverings during sleep.  Use sleep clothing with no other covering over baby.  If you do use a blanket, make sure the blanket goes no higher than baby’s chest and the blanket is tucked in around the crib mattress.

Don’t let me get too warm when I sleep.

Keep baby warm during sleep but not too warm.  Rooms should be kept at a temperature that is comfortable for an adult.  Too many layers of clothing or blankets can overheat baby.

Please don’t smoke around me. 

Smoking during and after pregnancy may increase the risk of SIDS.

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is a major cause of death in babies from birth through one year of age. SIDS is defined as the sudden and unexplained death of an infant under one year of age. While SIDS isn’t predictable or preventable, as a child care provider you can help reduce the risk of SIDS by using “baby” safe sleep practices in an environment safe for baby. For more information about SIDS contact the SIDS Foundation of Washington at 1-800-533-0376.