Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is a leading cause of death among infants 1 to 12 months old in the U.S. A safe crib can help reduce the risk of this sleep-related tragedy.
Safe cribs, safe sleep
Set the stage for safe sleep by banishing these five items from your baby's crib.
- Stuffed toys.
- Pillows.
- Blankets, quilts, comforters or sheepskins.
- Bumper pads.
- Loose sheets.
It's also crucial to always put a baby on his or her back to sleep. It's the safest sleep position for an infant—for naps and at night.
Learn more about SIDS and safe sleep.
Reviewed 8/28/2023
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "About SUID and SIDS." https://www.cdc.gov/sids/about/index.htm?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fsids%2FAboutSUIDandSIDS.htm.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "National Vital Statistics System." https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/dvs/lcwk/lcwk4_hr_2017-508.pdf
- HealthyChildren.org. "How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained." https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/A-Parents-Guide-to-Safe-Sleep.aspx.
- MedlinePlus. "Sudden Infant Death Syndrome." https://medlineplus.gov/suddeninfantdeathsyndrome.html.