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Safe Sleep
Across the United States each year, over 3,000 infants die unexpectedly and suddenly while sleeping. A high percentage of these deaths are due to sudden unexpected infant death (SUID), sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and accidental suffocation or strangulation in bed. These tragedies often occur in environments containing seemingly harmless items, such as blankets, pillows, or padded crib bumpers, which can inadvertently obstruct a newborn's airway.
The Triple-Risk Model
This model explains how a SUID/SIDS death may occur.
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First, an infant may have unknown genetic issues or medical conditions that affect the lungs, heart, or other organs.
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Second, during the first six months of development—a critical period of rapid growth—unexpected changes may occur in sleep patterns, breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure, causing internal instability.
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Third, infants may encounter one or more outside stressors in their environment, such as exposure to secondhand smoke, being placed on their stomachs for sleep, or being handled in certain ways.
The ABCs of Safe Sleep
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Alone - An infant should always sleep in their own separate space. Sleeping with a parent, sibling, or caregiver—whether on a sofa, chair, or bed—significantly increases the risk of a sleep-related death. To ensure safety, an infant should sleep alone.
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Back - To reduce the risk of infant sleep-related deaths, infants should always be placed on their backs for every sleep. They should never be placed on their stomachs or sides, as these positions are not safe for a developing airway.
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Crib - Infants should sleep on a firm, flat mattress within a safety-approved crib or bassinet. The mattress must be covered only by a tight-fitting sheet. The sleep environment should be clean and uncluttered, with no extra pillows, blankets, toys, or bumper pads, as these items may interfere with breathing and obstruct the airway.
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Contact us to learn more about safe sleep and our injury prevention initiatives, designed to promote responsible practices and enhance community well-being.