It is important for parents and
caregivers to know safe sleep strategies. Please help us get the word out: ALWAYS,
put your baby to sleep on her back, in a crib without bumpers, blankets,
stuffed toys or loose bedding.
Back to Sleep
and Tummy to Play is an easy way to remember that all healthy babies should be
put to sleep on their backs every time until their first birthday. Do not put
your baby to sleep on her side, either. Most babies will roll over both ways by
the end of the 7th month, but always start them out going to sleep on their
backs. You can give your baby tummy time to help strengthen her back muscles
when she is awake and you are watching her.
About 4,000 infants (less than one
year of age) die suddenly and unexpectedly each year in the United States,
according to the CDC. SIDS is the leading cause of death in babies between 1
month and 1 year old. Most SIDS cases happen in babies between 2 and 4 months
old. We don’t know what causes SIDS, but certain things can put babies at
higher risk:
- Bed sharing – do not sleep in the same bed as your
baby. Sleeping in the same room is suggested, just not the same bed. Bed
sharing is the biggest risk factor for SIDS in babies under 4 months of
age.
- Sofa or couch sleeping – do not let your baby sleep on
the couch or soft surfaces, including pillows. Nearly 13 percent of infant
sleeping deaths are sofa-related.
- Wearing too many clothes or sleeping in a room that is
too hot.
- Sleeping on her tummy or side.
If you have questions about putting
your baby to sleep, send them to AskUs@marchofdimes.org or ask your baby’s health care provider.
If you or someone you know has lost
a baby due to SIDS or an unknown reason, the Pregnancy and
Newborn Health Education Center offers bereavement packets to
families. Just email us with your mailing address and we will send one to
you.
Tags: baby care,
bed sharing,
bereavement,
couch sleeping,
infant death,
loss,
safe sleep,
SIDS,
sudden infant death syndrome, tummy time
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