Practice “ABC” to ensure your baby sleeps safely and soundly

Following these 14 recommendations will create a safe sleep environment and can reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Whether you are a first-time parent or a mom or dad with several children having a newborn can seem overwhelming at times. There are many things to learn from bathing to feeding to sleeping.

At the Telfair BirthPlace at St. Joseph’s/Candler, our nurses aim to give education and information that make caring for your newborn as easy as possible. One area families are educated on in our childbirth education classes and before they leave the hospital is safe sleeping recommendations for their baby.

“One thing we discuss is safe sleep, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and how positioning the newborn in the crib correctly is extremely important,” says LaCameo Miller, nurse at the Telfair BirthPlace. “The education we give is important because it could help save a life.”

View a schedule of our upcoming Prepared Childbirth education classes 

Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) is the term used to describe the sudden and unexpected death of a baby less than 1 year old. These deaths often happen during sleep or in the baby’s sleep area. SUID includes Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation in a sleeping environment and other deaths of unknown causes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that nearly 3,500 babies in the United States die suddenly and unexpectedly each year. SIDS is the leading cause of SUID for infants under 1 year old, especially from birth to 4 months.

For a  safe and sounds sleep for your baby, we recommend you follow ABC:

• A for Alone: Your baby should sleep alone, not with other people, pillows, blankets or stuffed animals
• B for Back: Your baby should always be placed on their back not their side or stomach
• C for Crib: Your baby should sleep in a crib, not on an adult bed, sofa, cushion or other soft surface.

“Following the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the nurses at Telfair BirthPlace encourage parents to put the infant on their back on a firm sleep surface when laying them down for a nap or at bedtime,” Miller says. “We also educate them on keeping soft or loose objects out of the crib. This means that there should be no bumper pads, pillows or blankets in the crib due to the increased risk of suffocation.”

Since the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended in 1992 that all babies be placed on their backs to sleep, deaths from SIDS have declined dramatically. However, sleep-related deaths from other causes, such as suffocation, entrapment and asphyxia, have gone up.

To help keep you baby safe while asleep, parents are encouraged to:

1. Always place your baby on his or her back for every sleep time
2. Use a firm and flat (not inclined) sleep surface, like a mattress in a safety-approved crib, play yard or other flat surface covered by a fitted sheet.
3.  When your baby falls asleep in their car seat, stroller, swing, infant carrier or sling, move them to a firm, flat sleep surface as soon as possible.
4. Keep all soft objects (pillows, blankets, toys, bumper pads, etc.) out of the crib.
5. Dress your baby in a well-fitting, one-piece sleeper.
6. Keep your baby’s head and face uncovered during sleep.
7. Keep your baby warm with a wearable (not loose) blanket.
8. Keep the room temperature comfortable and dress your baby in one more layer than you would wear.
9. Don’t smoke or allow others to smoke around your baby.
10. Don’t drink alcohol or use drugs around your baby.
11. Don’t use commercial devices or cardiorespiratory (CR) monitors unless ordered by your baby’s doctor.
12. Don’t use items with loose ties on or around a sleeping baby, including bibs, pacifiers, cords and other attachments.
13. Don’t use products claiming to reduce risk or prevent SIDS, including wedges, positioners or other products designed to keep infants in a specific position.
14. Don’t place electrical cords, window blind cords or baby monitor cords close to the crib.

“A safe sleep environment is the ultimate objective and creating such an environment will decrease the number of deaths in regards to SUID and SIDS in all infants,” Miller says.