Safe Sleep
Families
Resources for families include: Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), Tummy Time, Human Milk Feeding, Baby Registry, and Product Safety. Videos recommended by PA Safe Sleep are also available for your viewing.
SUID
Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) is the sudden and unexpected death of a baby before their first birthday. There are three types of SUID:
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) – The leading cause of infant death under one year, with no identified cause even after investigation.
Accidental Suffocation and Strangulation in Bed – When a baby suffocates due to unsafe sleep conditions, such as soft bedding, bed-sharing, or getting trapped between objects.
Unknown Causes – When a thorough investigation cannot determine the exact cause of death.
SIDS is the most common cause of death in babies before their first birthday.
Most SIDS deaths happen in the winter.
Boys are more likely than girls to die from SIDS.
Black infants are twice as likely to die from SIDS as white infants.
Babies can be at risk if they are not put to sleep safely. This can happen when:
A baby falls off a bed or sofa.
A baby gets tangled in sheets or blankets.
A baby becomes trapped between a mattress and a wall.
A baby suffocates when an adult or child accidentally rolls over on them while bed-sharing.
In some cases, even after a full investigation, medical professionals cannot determine the exact cause of death. These cases are classified as unknown causes.
Tummy Time
Tummy time should begin immediately after birth during skin-to-skin contact. As your baby grows, tummy time should increase gradually. By the time they are 7 weeks old, they should be spending 15-30 minutes a day on their tummy while awake and supervised.
It’s normal for babies to resist tummy time at first. Try these tips to make it more enjoyable:
Place a favorite toy nearby to encourage reaching.
Get down to eye level with your baby to offer reassurance.
Use a soft blanket or mat for comfort.
Try shorter, frequent sessions and gradually increase the duration.
Your baby should have several short tummy time sessions each day while they are awake and supervised. By 7 weeks, aim for a total of 15-30 minutes per day spread throughout the day.
Tummy time is essential for your baby’s development. It helps strengthen the muscles needed for lifting their head, rolling over, and crawling. Starting tummy time early and practicing it daily can support healthy movement and motor skills.
Yes! While babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep, they still need tummy time while awake to build strength and coordination. Back to sleep, tummy to play!
Human Milk Feeding
Human milk provides essential nutrients and immune support that help protect babies from illnesses and infections. Research shows that babies who receive human milk have a lower risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) compared to those who do not.
Doctors recommend that babies receive only human milk for the first six months of life. After six months, human milk can continue alongside solid foods for as long as the parent and baby choose.
Feeding your baby human milk, even partially, has been shown to lower the risk of SIDS. The more human milk your baby receives, the greater the protective benefits.
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) supports exclusive human milk feeding for the first six months and continued feeding alongside solid foods as long as possible to support infant health and development.
Baby Registry
To ensure a safe and comfortable environment, every baby should have:
Safe sleep essentials: A safety-approved crib, cribette, or playpen; a firm crib mattress (if using a traditional crib); and at least two fitted sheets.
Sleep clothing: Wearable blankets, blanket sleepers, pajamas, and undershirts/onesies.
Everyday necessities: Clothes and diapers in multiple sizes, baby wipes, a breast pump (if needed), bottles, and nipples.
Developmental items: A tummy time mat/blanket and books.
Health and safety items: A thermometer, car seat, stroller, and high chair.
Some products marketed for baby sleep can increase the risk of suffocation or SIDS. Avoid using:
Sleepers that require a strap.
In-bed sleepers (beside sleepers have not been fully studied for safety).
Positioners, pillows, crib bumpers, and mattress toppers.
Clothing with hoods or strings that could pose a strangulation risk.
Pacifiers attached to plush toys, blankets, or strings.
Oxygen monitors (these do not make sleep safer).
Weighted items including; blankets, swaddlers, or sleep sacks (these can restrict movement and pose a safety risk).
Product Safety
When shopping for baby products, focus on safety first and keep these tips in mind:
Be cautious of products that claim to help babies sleep. It's normal for babies to wake up during the night.
Use slings and cloth carriers with extreme caution to prevent suffocation risks.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety labels when using baby products.
Many infant products are recalled due to safety concerns, but they may still be found second-hand. To check for recalls, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Safe Sleep website:
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the following:
Always place your baby on their back to sleep until their first birthday.
Your baby should sleep in the same room as an adult but in their own crib—never on a couch, chair, waterbed, or other soft surface.
Keep crib bumpers, blankets, pillows, and toys out of the crib.
The only things in the crib should be a firm mattress and a fitted sheet.
Do not use a crib older than 10 years or one with missing or broken parts.
Keep the sleeping area at a comfortable temperature. Dress your baby in no more than one extra layer than you are wearing.
Always return your baby to their crib after feeding.
Keep your baby away from smoke, alcohol, marijuana, opioids, and illicit drugs.
videos
PASafeSleep
Safe Sleep Yes No Edition | AAP #shorts
Adoptive Parents Learn SIDS Risk Reduction Measures
