Safe to Sleep: Reducing the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Position: Always place the infant on the infant’s back for every sleep. Stomach sleeping, side sleeping, and propping are unsafe.

Surface: Place the infant on a firm, flat sleep surface, such as a safety-approved crib mattress, covered by a fitted sheet. The surface should not be at an angle or on an incline.

Feeding: Feed the infant human milk for the first 6 months if possible.

Bedding: Keep soft objects, pillows, bumper guards, stuffed toys, stuffed animals, loose blankets, nonfitted sheets, mattress toppers, fur-like materials, quilts, comforters, and weighted blankets, swaddles, or objects out of the infant’s sleep area.

No smoking: Do not allow smoking or vaping around the infant. Smoking, nicotine, alcohol, marijuana, opioids, and illicit drug use should be avoided during pregnancy and after birth. Caregivers should not use illicit drugs or alcohol.

Location: Set up the infant’s sleep area close to but separate from the sleep area of the parents/caregivers and other children. It is recommended that infants sleep in the parents'/caregivers' room close to the parents'/caregivers' bed but on a separate surface designed for infants, ideally for at least the first 6 months.

Pacifiers: Consider giving the infant a clean, dry pacifier when placing the infant down for every sleep. For infants who are breastfeeding, wait to give a pacifier until breastfeeding is well established.

Temperature: Do not let the infant become too hot during sleep. Avoid overwrapping the infant, covering the head or face during sleep, or putting on a hat while indoors. Keep the infant warm with layers of clothing instead of with blankets and other coverings. A wearable blanket can be used. Do not leave the infant alone in a vehicle, no matter what the temperature is outside. 

Prenatal care: Receive regular medical care throughout pregnancy to reduce the risk of SIDS. 

Vaccinations: Follow vaccination guidance provided by doctors and other health care professionals. Infants who receive vaccines have a lower risk of SIDS. Vaccines also protect infants from diseases.

Monitors and other devices: Do not use home heart, movement, or breathing monitors as a way to reduce the risk of SIDS. Home monitors and products that claim to prevent SIDS do not prevent it.

Tummy time: To promote development and help prevent flat spots from developing on the infant's head, place infants on their tummy when they are awake and someone is watching them (tummy time). Short periods of tummy time can begin soon after hospital discharge. Tummy time should be increased regularly to at least 15 to 30 minutes a day by the time the infant is 7 weeks old.