6 Things to Know Before Putting Your Baby in a Crib

1. Always place your baby to sleep on his back, for naps and at night.
2. Have the baby share your room, not your bed. Your baby should not sleep in an adult bed, on a couch, or on a chair alone, with you, or with anyone else. Try room sharing -- keeping your baby's sleep area in the same room where you sleep.
3. Use a firm sleep surface, such as a mattress in a safety-approved* crib, covered by a fitted sheet. Safety-approved* portable play yards can also provide a safe sleep environment for your baby. When using a portable play yard, always place your baby to sleep on her back and keep toys, pillows, and blankets out of the play yard.
4. Keep soft objects, toys, pillows, crib bumpers, and loose bedding out of your baby's sleep area.
5. Dress your baby in no more than one layer of clothing more than an adult would wear to be comfortable, and leave the blanket out of the crib. A one-piece sleeper or wearable blanket can be used for sleep clothing.
6. Keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for an adult.

• *Visit the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission web site for more information about safety-approved baby sleep areas.

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