Create a safe sleeping space for your baby
Crib safety
- Place mobiles carefully. Mobiles attach to the crib and hang over your baby to provide entertainment. Make sure the mobile is not low enough for the baby to grasp and take it down when they are old enough to sit up.
- Lower the mattress height over time. If your crib has an adjustable mattress height, remember to lower it as your baby grows and becomes more mobile. Make sure the crib railing is high enough to prevent falls.
- Keep your crib bare. It's tempting to add soft crib bumpers and pillows, but they can put your baby at risk. Instead, try a sleep sack.
- Use a flat, fitted sheet on a firm mattress. Firm mattresses are associated with a lower risk of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- Put your baby on their back. Always put your baby on their back to reduce the risk of SIDS. Your baby's gag reflex helps them avoid choking if they spit up while sleeping.
Reviewed 12/2/2024
Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics. "Suitable Sleeping Site: Safe at Night & Naptime." https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/suitable-sleeping-sites.aspx.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Helping Babies Sleep Safely." https://www.cdc.gov/reproductive-health/features/babies-sleep.html.
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