This October, as we recognize Safe Sleep and SIDS Awareness Month, we want to emphasize the importance of creating safe environments for our youngest community members, ensuring they have a strong and healthy start.

Every year, more than 3,600 babies in the U.S. tragically lose their lives to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or accidental suffocation.* The good news is that many of these deaths are preventable. By following safe sleep practices, parents and caregivers can reduce these risks and give babies the safest start in life.

Through CHS’ Healthy Start program, we provide parents and caregivers with the education and resources they need to create safe sleep environments for their babies. From ensuring that cribs and bassinets meet safety standards to following guidelines for safe sleep positioning, Healthy Start is here to guide families through these critical early months.

Safe Sleep Checklist for Parents & Caregivers

• Use a safe crib or bassinet: Ensure your baby’s crib, bassinet, or cradle is undamaged and meets current Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards. (Check www.cpsc.gov for details.)
• Keep baby close: Place your baby’s crib or bassinet near your bed for the first six months.
• Back to sleep: Always place your baby face-up to sleep. Sleeping on the stomach or side increases the risk of suffocation.
• Share safe sleep info: Make sure everyone who cares for your baby follows safe sleep practices.
• Ensure a firm mattress: Use a firm mattress that fits snugly in the crib or bassinet, and make sure the sheet fits tightly around the mattress.
• Avoid hazards: Keep your baby’s sleep area away from loose strings, like blind cords or electrical cords, which can pose a strangulation risk.
• Pacifiers: Offer your baby a pacifier at bedtime, but never force it. If the baby spits it out, do not reinsert it. If breastfeeding, wait until your baby is one month old before introducing a pacifier.
• Monitor room temperature: Keep the room comfortable for a lightly clothed adult, avoiding overheating, which can increase SIDS risk.
• Respond to cries: Always respond to your baby’s cries at night to ensure their safety.
• Keep baby’s sleep area safe: Avoid putting anything in your baby’s crib like stuffed animals, positioners, bumper pads, or sheepskins.
• Propping bottles is unsafe: Always hold your baby’s bottle during feeding to prevent choking.
• Mobiles and crib safety: Hang the baby’s mobile out of reach and remove it when they learn to sit. Lower the mattress when your baby can sit or stand to prevent falls.

Don’t Risk It!

• It is not safe to let your baby sleep on an adult bed, sofa, or any surface not specifically designed for babies.
• Avoid smoking around your baby or in any room where your baby spends time, as this can increase the risk of SIDS.

By following these steps, parents can create a safe sleep environment that promotes their baby’s well-being. Through our Healthy Start program, CHS is dedicated to ensuring that every baby has the best chance to thrive.

For more information on safe sleep practices, visit the CDC’s Safe Sleep resource page here. Together, we can ensure that every baby has the safest possible start in life.