As a parent, you will worry. You’ll worry about concrete things like whether your baby has gotten enough to eat. Or if your toddler is warm enough without a jacket. You’ll worry about abstract things, like if your child is happy. Or whether they’ll always “do the right thing.” And you’re going to worry about sleep. Especially when they are newborns, you’ll worry about sleep. It’s ironic, but some of the newborn stage’s biggest worries will likely occur when your baby isn’t crying and sleeping peacefully.
But the anxiety is based on some reality. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a terrifying reality that impacts over a thousand American families annually.1 While SIDS is the leading cause of death in babies under 1 year of age, most SIDS deaths (90%) occur in babies under 6 months of age.2
There are many unknowns about SIDS. This is part of the reason why it is so frightening. But the truth is that parents can do many things to help prevent SIDS during the highest-risk period and beyond.
Following Safe Sleep Guidelines
These evidence-based recommendations can help lower the risk of SIDS and keep your baby’s sleep environment as safe as possible.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), there are several things you can do to ensure your baby is sleeping as safely as possible.3
- Place your baby on their back to sleep.
- Ensure a firm, flat sleep surface
- No loose bedding, soft objects, toys, or bumpers in the crib
- Avoid the use of commercial devices inconsistent with safe sleep recommendations (only things labeled as a “crib,” “bassinet,” or “play yard” are approved for safe sleep)
- Keep the bedroom/nursery temperature between 68°F and 72°F to allow for optimal temperature regulation.
- Do not allow smoke around your baby.
But more than sharing what you can do to promote safe sleep, I want to tell you why safe sleep is so important. Knowledge is power, and I believe we’ll do better when we know better!
Related: Updated Safe Sleep Guidelines from the AAP
Why Safe Sleep Habits Matter
Understanding the risks behind unsafe sleep setups helps reinforce why these small adjustments truly matter for your baby’s safety.
Suffocation
Putting babies to sleep on their tummies, with blankets surrounding them, or even snuggled in a positioner-type “nest” can put your newborn at risk for suffocation. Stuffed animals, bumpers, and soft blankets certainly make cribs look warm and cozy. But as boring as it sounds, a firm, flat mattress is the best and safest option for your little one. Infants can get tangled up in blankets and loose bedding, which can block their airways. When they are tiny and not strong enough to free themselves, anything extra in the crib poses a risk of suffocation.
Note: When placing your baby in their crib or bassinet, always put them on their back. However, once your baby can roll both ways independently, most pediatricians agree that it is okay to stay in this position if they roll to their tummy. Run it by your provider first!
Related: When Can Babies Begin Sleeping on Their Stomach?
Positional Asphyxiation
Sleeping on a firm, flat surface may not seem like a big deal. But when babies are placed to sleep at an incline, it can put them at risk for positional asphyxiation.4 Because babies’ heads are so large and heavy compared to the rest of their bodies, they are likely to flop forward when their bodies relax into sleep. Babies’ tracheas are also very small, and this, along with their lack of muscle strength and inability to control their head and neck, can cause their airways to become easily blocked. If you are looking for an alternative place to nap your baby outside of their nighttime sleep space, I recommend a portable bassinet or playard. Both of which are safe and approved for sleep.
Carbon Dioxide Rebreathing
The concept of “carbon dioxide rebreathing” is why even things marketed as “breathable” are still unsafe to use in your baby’s crib, bed, or any sleep situation. Many people don’t realize that experts believe carbon dioxide rebreathing is highly linked to SIDS.5,6 As your baby breathes in oxygen, they breathe out carbon dioxide. If their face is too close to fabric (like the side of a positioner or a bumper in the crib), that little space begins to fill with carbon dioxide, which they will begin to inhale more than oxygen. This is also why it’s essential to have a firm mattress in your baby’s crib; softer materials, such as memory foam, can create tiny air pockets that increase the chances of carbon dioxide rebreathing.
Related: Crib Mattress Guide: What To Look For and Top Picks
Why Safe Sleep Matters to Me, Personally
Safe sleep is a non-negotiable for me. I am all for “you do you” when it comes to most parenting choices, whether that is breastfeeding or formula feeding, working inside or outside the home, choosing a medicated or unmedicated birth, or how you approach discipline. But when it comes to sleep safety, I feel a responsibility to speak up. This does not come from a place of judgment. It comes from a place of wanting every family to have the information that keeps their baby safe.
When you are exhausted, it is easy to reach for anything that promises more sleep. Bringing your baby into bed at 3 a.m. can feel tempting, especially when nothing else is working. Strapping them into a swing for a nap can feel like a lifesaver in the moment. I understand those feelings. I also know that these are not safe sleep practices, and parents deserve clarity and support without added fear. Your baby can sleep safely and sleep well. And if you need help getting there, sleep consultants like me are here to guide you. You do not have to figure it out alone.
