Babies have five main jobs: eat, sleep, pee, poop and grow. Sleep plays a central role in supporting all the others.
But keeping sleep safe is just as important as getting enough of it. Safe sleep practices reduce the risk of sleep-related deaths, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), strangulation, suffocation and entrapment. The guidelines are easy to apply at home. Samuel Brayer, MD, a pediatrician at Cincinnati Children’s Cold Spring and Southgate Primary care, tells parents to remember their ABCs.
A is for Alone
Your baby should sleep in your room, but not in your bed. The safest place is Alone in a crib or bassinet next to your bed.
Room sharing makes nighttime feedings easier and allows you to respond quickly. Even when you’re tired, avoid falling asleep with your baby on a bed, couch or chair, where they can become trapped or smothered.
“Co-sleeping is one of the highest-risk activities for sleep-related injury,” Dr. Brayer explains. “When you get up to feed your baby, keep them upright for a few minutes, then place them back in their own sleep space.”
B is for Back
Always place your baby on their Back for naps and nighttime sleep, even if they have congestion or seem more comfortable on their side. Decades of research show that back sleeping dramatically reduces sleep-related deaths, including SIDS. Babies who sleep on their stomachs are more likely to suffocate, overheat or rebreathe exhaled air.
“Parents often worry about choking if their newborn spits up while lying on their back,” says Dr. Brayer. “Babies have natural protective cough and gag reflexes to keep their airway clear.”
Once your baby can roll over on their own, it’s okay to let them find their own sleep position. Continue starting them on their backs and stop swaddling so their arms can move freely.
C is for Crib
A safe Crib contains only a mattress and a tight-fitting sheet—no pillows, stuffed animals, crib bumpers or sleep positioners. Loose items can cover your baby’s face or wrap around their neck. Instead of blankets, choose fitted sleepwear such as swaddles, sleep sacks or footed onesies.
Your crib should meet current safety standards, with secure hardware and a firm mattress to prevent sinking. Dr. Brayer recommends checking the slat spacing—if a soda can fits between them, they’re too far apart. Proper spacing keeps your baby’s head and limbs from getting stuck.
