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Safe Sleep

SAFE SLEEP

 

St. Tammany's Safe Sleep commitment to families

 



overview

 

 

Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) refers to the sudden and unexpected death of a baby younger than 1 year that has no obvious cause before investigation. SUID includes Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Accidental Suffocation and Strangulation in Bed (ASSB), and deaths from unknown causes. While not every SUID can be prevented, following safe sleep recommendations can reduce risks associated with unsafe sleep environments. Always place your baby Alone, on their Back, and in a Crib or other approved sleep space for every sleep, including naps. Use a firm, flat sleep surface with a fitted sheet and keep pillows, blankets, bumper pads, stuffed animals, and other soft or loose items out of the baby's sleep area. Safe sleep practices are recommended for every sleep throughout your baby’s first year of life. Following safe sleep recommendations, based on guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), can help you create the safest possible sleep environment for your baby.

 

 

 

Remember the ABC's of Safe Sleep

 

To prevent suffocation, babies should be (A) ALONE, on their (B) BACK and in a safe, clutter free (C) CRIB for every sleep: on a firm mattress with no loose bedding, no toys, no positioning tools!

 

 

ALONE

Your baby should sleep alone in their own sleep space. Keep the sleep area clear of pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, toys, bumper pads and other loose items. Sharing a room with your baby is recommended, but sharing a bed is not. Keeping your baby's crib or bassinet near your bed allows you to remain close while providing your baby with a separate, safe place to sleep.

 

BACK

Always place your baby on their back for every sleep, including naps and nighttime. Babies should continue to be placed on their backs to sleep throughout their first year. Once your baby can comfortably roll in both directions on their own, you do not need to reposition them if they roll while sleeping.

 

CRIB

Your baby should sleep on a firm, flat surface designed for infant sleep, such as an approved crib, bassinet or portable play yard. Use only a tightly fitted sheet and keep the sleep space free of blankets, pillows, toys and other objects.

 

 

Safe Sleep ABCs

 

safe sleep recommendations

 

 

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides evidence-based recommendations to help parents and caregivers create a safe sleep environment. Safe sleep practices begin with the ABCs: Alone, Back, and Crib - place your baby Alone, on their Back, in a safe Crib or approved sleep space for every sleep. Explore additional recommendations below to learn how you can help your baby sleep safely and reduce your baby’s risk of sleep-related infant death, including SIDS and accidental suffocation. 

 

  • Always place your baby on their back to sleep for every sleep, including naps.
  • Use a firm, flat, non-inclined sleep surface designed for infant sleep, such as a safety-approved crib, bassinet, or portable play yard.
  • Breastfeeding is encouraged, as breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of SIDS.
  • Keep your baby’s sleep space in your room, but not in your bed, ideally for at least the first 6 months.
  • Keep the baby’s sleep area free of soft or loose items, including pillows, blankets, bumper pads, stuffed animals, and other objects.
  • Consider offering a pacifier at nap time and bedtime. If breastfeeding, consider introducing a pacifier after breastfeeding is well established.
  • Provide supervised tummy time while your baby is awake to support healthy growth and development.
  • Choose infant products carefully. Manufacturers and media sources should provide information that supports and follows established safe sleep recommendations.
  • Avoid products that are not consistent with safe sleep guidance, including devices marketed as preventing SIDS or creating a safer sleep environment when they have not been proven to do so.
  • Protect your baby from smoke and nicotine exposure, including during pregnancy and after birth.
  • Avoid alcohol, marijuana, opioids, and other illicit or sedating substances during pregnancy and around your baby, as these can increase the risk of sleep-related death.
  • Prevent overheating and avoid covering your baby’s head during sleep.
  • Receive regular prenatal care during pregnancy.
  • Keep your baby’s immunizations up to date according to recommendations from your healthcare provider and the CDC.
  • Do not rely on home cardiorespiratory monitors to prevent SIDS. These monitors have not been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS.
  • Healthcare professionals should model and promote safe sleep practices and follow applicable safe sleep laws and regulations.
  • Share safe sleep information throughout your community. Parents, caregivers, family members, and anyone who cares for an infant should understand and follow safe sleep practices.
  • Continue research and surveillance to better understand the causes, risk factors, and prevention of sleep-related infant deaths.

 

 

 

OUR COMMITMENT TO INFANT SLEEP SAFETY

 

 

 

At St. Tammany Health System, we are committed to creating a culture of safe sleep and helping protect our community’s youngest members. We model safe sleep practices throughout our hospital and provide education to parents, caregivers, and families about the importance of creating a safe sleep environment for every sleep, every time. Many of our colleagues have also completed the Safe Sleep Ambassador Training through Cribs for Kids, strengthening our commitment to sharing safe sleep education throughout our community. You can become a Safe Sleep Ambassador, too! Explore the resources below to learn more about safe sleep and complete the training to become a Safe Sleep Ambassador.

 

 

 

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