Skip to content

Top Navigation

Parents Parents
  • GETTING PREGNANT
  • PREGNANCY
  • BABY NAMES
  • BABY
  • TODDLER
  • BIG KID
  • FUN
  • HEALTH
  • PARENTING
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAY
  • News & Trends
  • Raising the Future
  • OUR MAGAZINES
  • Podcasts
  • Kindred
  • MORE

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Pin FB

Explore Parents

Parents Parents
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 22 Chore Ideas for Every Type of Kid

      22 Chore Ideas for Every Type of Kid

      Find a chore your kid loves to do, and start a habit of wanting to help out that'll last a lifetime. Read More Next
    • Top 5 Mom Friend Problems—And How to Fix Them

      Top 5 Mom Friend Problems—And How to Fix Them

      Parenting is so much easier with good pals. Learn to overcome friendship hurdles and bond with women who get you. Read More Next
    • How to Sleep Train Toddlers and Big Kids

      How to Sleep Train Toddlers and Big Kids

      Do you struggle to put your kiddo to bed—or keep them there? Read on to find out how to sleep train toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids. Read More Next
  • GETTING PREGNANT

    GETTING PREGNANT

    See All GETTING PREGNANT
    Your Chances of Getting Pregnant, During Every Phase of Your Cycle

    Your Chances of Getting Pregnant, During Every Phase of Your Cycle

    When sex coincides with your most fertile days, your chances of getting pregnant increase. Get to know each phase of your cycle to help you conceive (or avoid) a pregnancy.
    • Ovulation
    • Reproductive Age
    • Maximizing Your Fertility
    • Pre-Pregnancy Health
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Dealing With Infertility
    • Genetics
  • PREGNANCY

    PREGNANCY

    See All PREGNANCY
    9 Signs That Labor Is Approaching

    9 Signs That Labor Is Approaching

    Anxiously awaiting your baby’s arrival? Learn to recognize the signs of approaching labor, which signal that your little one might make an appearance soon.
    • Signs of Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Week-by-Week
    • Giving Birth
    • Labor & Delivery
    • Pregnancy Symptoms
    • Due Date Calculator
    • Pregnancy Complications
    • Fetal Development
    • Gender Prediction
    • Baby Showers
  • BABY NAMES

    BABY NAMES

    See All BABY NAMES
    These Baby Names Are Predicted to Be Popular in 2022

    These Baby Names Are Predicted to Be Popular in 2022

    From Bridgerton to travel destinations, learn what's inspiring the baby name trends of 2022.
    • Baby Girl Names
    • Most Popular Names
    • Names by Origin
    • Twin Names
    • Baby Boy Names
    • Names by Religion
    • Celebrity Baby Names
  • BABY

    BABY

    See All BABY
    How to Decode Your Baby's Cough

    How to Decode Your Baby's Cough

    Caring for a baby with a wet or dry cough? Listen for wheezing, hacking, or barking first, then read on to find out what's normal and when it's time to worry.
    • Newborn Care
    • Crying Baby
    • Health
    • Baby Development
    • Safety
    • Gear
    • Breastfeeding
    • Diapers
    • Sleep Issues
    • Feeding
    • Nursery
  • TODDLER

    TODDLER

    See All TODDLER
    • Preschool Activities
    • Behavior & Discipline
    • Toddler Development
    • Milestones
    • Potty Training
    • Starting School
    • Health
    • Safety
    • Childcare
  • BIG KID

    BIG KID

    See All BIG KID
    How to Deal With Bullies: A Guide for Parents

    How to Deal With Bullies: A Guide for Parents

    Mean kids aren't just a middle-school problem. The trouble has trickled to the youngest grades. Learn how to spot it—and how to protect children of all ages from bullies at school.
    • Education
    • Health
    • Food & Nutrition
    • Bullying & School Problems
    • Child Development
    • Safety
    • Manners & Responsibility
  • FUN

    FUN

    See All FUN
    17 Budget-Friendly Kids' Birthday Party Ideas

    17 Budget-Friendly Kids' Birthday Party Ideas

    A fun celebration doesn't need to cost a pretty penny. Throw a memorable bash with these clever cost-cutting kids' birthday party ideas.
    • Birthdays
    • Indoor Activities
    • Outdoor Activities
    • Arts & Crafts
    • Printable Coloring Pages
    • Kids' Entertainment
    • Best Toys
    • Holidays
    • Family Vacation Ideas
  • HEALTH

    HEALTH

    See All HEALTH
    All About Coronavirus COVID-19: A Concerned Parent's Guide

    All About Coronavirus COVID-19: A Concerned Parent's Guide

    Here’s everything you need to know about the disease that originated in Wuhan, China.
    • ADD & ADHD
    • Allergies
    • Autism
    • Cold & Flu
    • Coronavirus and COVID-19
    • Cough
    • Down Syndrome
    • Emergency Aid
    • Fever
    • Medication & Vitamins
    • Obesity
    • Rashes
    • Stomach Aches
    • Vaccines
  • PARENTING

    PARENTING

    See All PARENTING
    The Stay at Home Guide for Parents

    The Stay at Home Guide for Parents

    Everything you need to thrive at home as a family.
    • Positive Parenting
    • Parenting Style
    • Celebrity Parents
    • Family Dynamics
    • Divorce
    • Home
    • Adoption
    • Just for Mom
    • Money
    • Toy Recalls
    • Stroller Recalls
    • Moms Run the World
    • The Stay at Home Guide
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    • Family Recipes
    • Baby Food
    • Toddler Finger Food Recipes
    • Hints & Tips
    • Healthy Eating
    • Birthdays
    • Holiday Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Meals
    • Food For Pregnant Women
  • HOLIDAY

    HOLIDAY

    See All HOLIDAY
    44 Fun Valentine's Day Crafts for Kids, Preschoolers, and Toddlers

    44 Fun Valentine's Day Crafts for Kids, Preschoolers, and Toddlers

    Spend an afternoon making these Valentine's Day cards, decorations, and edible projects. Bonus: Each one can double as a homemade gift for someone special!
    • Christmas
    • New Year's
    • Valentine's Day
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Memorial Day
    • Father's Day
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
  • News & Trends
  • Raising the Future
  • OUR MAGAZINES

    OUR MAGAZINES

    See All OUR MAGAZINES
    • Parents
    • Parents Latina
    • Ser Padres
  • Podcasts

    Podcasts

    • We Are Family Podcast
    • That New Mom Life Podcast
    • Pregnancy Confidential Podcast
  • Kindred
  • MORE

    MORE

    • Newsletters
    • Contests
    • #ParentsIRL
    • Adulting
    • First Year Playbook
    • Celebrate Your Way

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Babies
  3. Sleep
  4. Sleep Issues
  5. Protect Your Baby from SIDS

Protect Your Baby from SIDS

July 14, 2015
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Credit: Kathryn Gamble
Are you so worried about your baby's sleep safety that you can't sleep yourself? Put your mind at ease by following these simple safety guidelines.
Start Slideshow

1 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Keeping Your Baby Safe

baby's feet
Credit: BananaStock/ Jupiter

As a parent, your first priority is the safety of your baby. To put your mind at ease and help you get the rest you need, we have expert advice and tips on making sure your baby is sleeping in the safest environment possible. Tom Keens, M.D., a pediatrician and the chair of the California SIDS Advisory Council, weighs in on how to decrease Baby's risk of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS.

1 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sleep Position

baby asleep in crib
Credit: BananaStock/ Jupiter

Dilemma: Do I put Baby on her back, side, or stomach?

Solution: Although there has been conflicting advice on this topic, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) maintains that for the safest sleep practices Baby should sleep on her back until she is old enough to turn over on her own. "Studies done showed that babies sleeping on their back have a decreased risk of SIDS," Dr. Keens says,

2 of 10

3 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Temperature

newborn baby sleeping
Credit: iStockphoto

Dilemma: How do I make sure the room is the right temperature for Baby?

Solution: The problem with temperature is that an overheated baby is at greater risk for SIDS, Dr. Keens says. The AAP recommends that your child's room should be kept at a temperature that is comfortable for a lightly clothed adult. A simple onesie in the summer and footed one-piece pajamas or a sleep sack in the winter are safe options.

3 of 10

Advertisement

4 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Blankets

baby in crib
Credit: BananaStock/ Jupiter

Dilemma: Baby loves his blanket and we take it everywhere. Should I put it in his crib?

Solution: Blankets can cause suffocation or strangulation. If it's cold when you put him to sleep, dress him in a sleep sack or a footed onesie rather than a blanket. The AAP recommends keeping any loose bedding, including pillows and bumpers, out of the crib while Baby sleeps. Use blankets when Baby is awake and you can safely monitor him.

4 of 10

5 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Toys & Stuffed Animals

empty crib
Credit: Image Source/ Veer

Dilemma: Baby loves to play with his stuffed animals and other toys. Can he take them to bed?

Solution: Toys pose risks for strangulation and suffocation, and infants don't require toys for comfort to fall asleep. "Stuffed animals should really be out of the crib. Your baby can play with stuffed animals when he's awake, but not when he's asleep," Dr. Keens says. According to the AAP's website, healthychildren.org, hanging toys, such as mobiles or crib gyms, "should be out of Baby's reach and must be removed when the baby is old enough to push up on her hands and knees or is 5 months old, whichever occurs first."

5 of 10

6 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pets

baby lying next to cat
Credit: Digital Vision/Veer

Dilemma: How can I make sure my sleeping baby is safe from our family pet?

Solution: Keep your cat or dog out of your little one's room while she is sleeping. Pets can jump into cribs and increase the risk of suffocation or other injury. The AAP recommends pets be kept out of Baby's sleeping area for another reason, as well: Floating fur or dander could affect your little one's breathing. If you have a pet, use a baby monitor and keep the door closed at all times while she is sleeping or secure the pet in a kennel or in another controlled area, such as the basement or garage, during sleep times.

6 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Bed Sharing

father kissing sleeping baby
Credit: Juice Images/Veer

Dilemma: I've heard that I can sleep with Baby in my bed so I can be close enough to hear him at any time during the night. Is this true?

Solution: Dr. Keens says to have Baby in bed with you increases the risk of SIDS. "It really isn't a safe sleeping environment. The concern is if sleep-deprived parents roll onto the baby, they won't be able to respond appropriately." According to Dr. Keens, having your baby's crib in your room, often referred to as cosleeping, is the safest situation with the most decreased risk of SIDS. You are able to easily and quickly respond to any situation without being a risk to Baby's health yourself.

7 of 10

8 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Crib Safety

baby sleeping in crib
Credit: BananaStock/ Jupiter

Dilemma: How do I know that my crib is safe for Baby?

Solution: According to the AAP, a safe crib has slats that are no more than 2-3/8 inches apart. Also make sure your crib is free of splinters and cracked paint and has all the necessary hardware that fits securely. Use a firm crib mattress that fits snugly in the crib, with no space between the mattress and the slats. If you have an adjustable crib, the drop side can be lowered for easier access until your little one is able to pull himself up. When he starts crawling and pulling himself up, raise the drop side so he can't climb up and out. It is also important to be aware of window blinds and treatments that have cords, which also pose a strangulation hazard.

8 of 10

9 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Day Care

woman holding baby in air

Dilemma: How do I know Baby will be safe at day care?

Solution: Day cares can be major sources of anxiety for parents. Dr. Keens says about 20 percent of SIDS deaths occur in day cares. To ensure Baby's safety at day care or in the care of another adult, communication and awareness are the best solutions.

Ask your day-care or child care provider the five Ws about sleeping:

1. When and how often will my baby sleep?

2. Where will my child sleep?

3. Who will be putting my baby to sleep?

4. What is the emergency procedure if something happens to my baby?

5. Why should I send my child here?

Always hold your day-care provider to the same standards of care that you have in your home. Inform them of your expectations and don't feel intimidated to express your concerns, check for safety hazards, or ask questions. Never leave your child with someone you don't trust.

9 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 10

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Trust Your Instincts

mother holding sleeping baby
Credit: Kathryn Gamble

You are the parent and you know your baby better than anyone else. That makes you the best safety net, especially when putting her to sleep. Watch what you're doing, what's in her crib, and what her behavior is like. Then trust yourself, turn on the baby monitor, and take a nap.

Copyright 2010 Meredith Corporation.

10 of 10

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 10 Keeping Your Baby Safe
    2 of 10 Sleep Position
    3 of 10 Temperature
    4 of 10 Blankets
    5 of 10 Toys & Stuffed Animals
    6 of 10 Pets
    7 of 10 Bed Sharing
    8 of 10 Crib Safety
    9 of 10 Day Care
    10 of 10 Trust Your Instincts

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Parents

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
    • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • From Our Sponsors this link opens in a new tab
    • Affiliate Program this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithParents.com is part of the Parents Network. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Parents. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.parents.com

    Sign in

    View image

    Protect Your Baby from SIDS
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.