Is Your Baby Sleeping Safely?

We've all heard that getting good sleep is a vital part of our health. It affects our growth, how we regulate stress, our immune system, and even our cardiovascular health. For children, and especially newborn babies, safe sleep can literally be the difference between life and death.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are around 3,400 sleep-related deaths among U.S. babies each year. Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) often occurs during sleep or in the baby's sleep area. SUIDs include sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation in a sleep environment, and other deaths from unknown causes. While there is no known cause of SIDS, there are steps you can take to reduce a baby's risk.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated its recommendations for safe sleep in 2022 to help reduce the risk of sleep-related deaths for babies and infants. Their technical report is also a great resource for safe sleep guidelines.

There is no guaranteed way to prevent SIDS, but you can reduce your baby's risk

Research tells us that a safe sleep environment aids in reducing your baby's risk of SIDS. Unintentional suffocation and strangulation in bed are some of the main causes of sleep-related deaths in infants. The AAP's guidance helps parents take steps to ensure their baby is protected while they sleep.

Here are ways you can create a safer sleep environment for your baby

• Put your baby on their back every time you put them to sleep, even for naps.
• Don't worry about choking—babies have airway anatomy and a gag reflex to prevent this.
• Newborns should have skin-to-skin contact right after birth, but should then sleep in a bassinet without incline.
• Premature babies can be on their stomachs temporarily in the NICU, but should sleep on their backs when stable.
• If your baby rolls on their own, that's okay—just always place them on their back initially.
• Use a firm, flat, non-inclined sleep surface. Avoid surfaces with more than a 10-degree incline.
• Ensure the sleep surface fits snugly in the crib and meets CPSP safety standards.
• Move your baby to a firm surface if they fall asleep in a car seat, stroller, or swing.
• Do not sleep with your baby—bed-sharing increases SIDS risk significantly.
• Room-sharing is a safer alternative and can reduce SIDS risk by 50%.
• Keep the baby's sleep area free of soft objects and loose bedding.
• Use wearable blankets instead of regular blankets.
• Avoid weighted sleep products or covering your baby's head indoors.

Follow the ABCs of infant safe sleep

• Alone: Your baby should sleep alone, not in bed with others.
• Back: Always place your baby on their back to sleep.
• Crib: Use a crib that meets current safety standards.

Additional tips to reduce SIDS risk

• Breastfeed your baby for at least the first year to reduce SIDS risk.
• Learn more about milk donation at the Arkansas Milk Bank.
• Offer a pacifier at nap and bedtime.
• Avoid alcohol, marijuana, opioids, and illicit drugs during and after pregnancy.
• Practice supervised tummy time starting after discharge, gradually increasing to 15–30 minutes daily by 7 weeks old.
• Get regular prenatal care and attend all well-child visits.

What to expect from your newborn’s sleep patterns

Newborns may sleep 16 hours a day in short 1–2 hour stretches. A regular sleep-wake cycle won’t develop until around 6 months.

Concerns about flat head syndrome

• Alternate which end of the crib your baby sleeps on.
• Alternate feeding sides.
• Supervised tummy time helps reduce flat spots and strengthen muscles.
• Limit time in swings, bouncy chairs, and car seats.

Arkansas ranked 50th in maternal mortality from 2018–2020 and 48th in infant mortality in 2021. Learn more about how to decrease maternal and infant mortality risks.

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