Help Your Baby Sleep Safely So You Can Sleep Soundly

Few things make you value sleep more than when you have a new baby. (We're parents, too. We understand.) We can't promise you more sleep, but we can offer you this―less worry and deeper sleep because you know your baby is sleeping safely. When babies sleep with pillows, blankets, or on soft surfaces, they are at a greater risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). When they sleep in bed with us, there's the added risk of suffocation from soft bedding or getting trapped under or rolled over by an adult. The good news? Parents have been using tried-and-true strategies to keep their babies' sleep spaces safe every day. ​Keep baby safe: This reduces the risk of SIDS and the chances of you or your partner mistakenly rolling over your baby. ​Help you sleep more soundly: We all sleep more deeply when we know our babies are as safe as can be. ​Set good habits: As parents, we want to cherish all their snuggles while they're small, but most of us also want to avoid them sleeping in bed with us forever. Getting babies used to sleeping in their own space now sets the habit for later. Are you a family member or friend looking to lend a hand? Your role is more important than ever. Check in on mom after nursing and move baby to his or her own bed if needed. Check in on baby's crib or bassinet once in a while―make sure its free of pillows or blankets. Give baby's mom and dad permission to try something new. Most parents learn from their parents, and some families have a long tradition of putting babies to bed a certain way. Let them know that you are open to new ways of doing things that we now know are safer for baby. Give baby's parents a break. Offer to wash dishes, watch the baby while parents take a nap, or urge them to take a walk while you stay with the little one. How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained Reduce the Risk of SIDS & Suffocation The Truth About Home Apnea Monitors for SIDs The Healthy Children Show: Sleep (Video)