Keep your baby safe while they sleep

Reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related infant deaths.

• Room share, don’t bed share. Give babies their own sleep space in your room, separate from your bed for at least the first 6 months.
• Use a sleep surface for baby that is firm (returns to original shape quickly if pressed on), flat (like a table, not a hammock), level (not at an angle or incline), and covered only with a fitted sheet.
• Remove everything from baby’s sleep area, except a fitted sheet to cover the mattress. No objects, toys, or other items.
• Use a wearable blanket to keep baby warm without blankets in the sleep area. Avoid letting your baby get too hot. Make sure baby’s head and face stay uncovered during sleep.
• Avoid swaddling once baby starts to roll over (usually around 3 months of age). Remember-swaddling doesn’t reduce SIDS risk.
• Place babies on their backs to sleep, for naps and at night.
• Offer your baby a pacifier for naps and at night once they are breastfeeding well.
• Couches and armchairs are not safe for baby to sleep on alone, with people, or with pets.
• Keep baby’s surroundings smoke/vape free.

Feeding babies human milk by direct breastfeeding, if possible, or by pumping from the breast, reduces the risk of SIDS. Feeding only human milk, with no formula or other things added, for the first 6 months provides the greatest protection from SIDS.