Head Start

If your baby is under 12 months old, you can help prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), suffocation, and strangulation by following these 10 tips:

1. Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, for naps and at night.
2. Place your baby on a firm sleep surface, such as on a safety-approved crib mattress, covered by a fitted sheet.
3. Keep soft objects, toys, and loose bedding out of your baby's sleep area.
4. Do not allow smoking around your baby.
5. Keep your baby's sleep area close to, but separate from, where you and others sleep.
6. Think about using a clean, dry pacifier when placing the infant down to sleep, to help sooth your baby.
7. Do not let your baby overheat during sleep by dressing them in light sleep clothing and keeping the room at a comfortable temperature.
8. Avoid products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS, as many have not been tested and approved.
9. Do not rely on home monitors to reduce the risk of SIDS.
10. Reduce the chance that flat spots will develop on your baby's head by providing supervised "Tummy Time" when your baby is awake.

See also:
     Safe Sleep for Your Baby: Reduce the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
     AAP Revises Recommendations on SIDS Risks
     Safe Sleep (Environments) for Babies [PDF, 4.4MB]