Ensuring a safe sleep environment for infants is crucial for their health and well-being. By following evidence-based guidelines for safe infant sleep, parents and caregivers can help reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related risks

Back to Sleep: Placing infants to sleep on their back has been shown to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), which is the leading cause of death for infants between 1 month and 1 year of age. Infants who sleep on their stomach or side are at a higher risk of SIDS, so it's important to always place them on their back for sleep

Firm Surface: The sleep surface should be flat, firm, and free of soft objects or loose bedding that could pose a suffocation risk. This includes blankets, pillows, crib bumpers, stuffed animals, and low mobiles. A firm mattress with a tightly fitted sheet is the safest sleep surface for infants

Stay Close: Most experts recommend that your baby sleep in a bassinet in your room for the first year of life. Keeping your baby close by allows you to respond quickly. Some studies suggest that sleeping near a parent prevents SIDS by encouraging a normal breathing pattern

Dress for Success: Infants should be dressed in a way that is appropriate for the room temperature to avoid overheating, which has been linked to an increased risk of SIDS. Avoid covering the baby's head and use lightweight sleep sacks or swaddle blankets. Dress baby as warmly as you're dressed, plus one layer

Breastfeed: Breastfeeding has been associated with a reduced risk of SIDS, as well as a host of other health benefits for both the mother and baby. It's recommend to exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months of life, and continue breastfeeding alongside the introduction of solid foods until at least 1 year of age

Step Away: Most sleep training programs recommend waiting until at least 4-6 months of age until beginning. Generally, newborns are not capable of independent sleep until later in the first year. Responding to your baby's nighttime cries now will help your baby learn to fall asleep faster and more independently later