1. Home
  2. Printable & Shareable Resources
  3. Caregivers & Families
  4. What Does A Safe Sleep Environment Look Like?

What Does A Safe Sleep Environment Look Like?

You can reduce your baby’s risk of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of infant death in the following ways.

Mom leaning over, looking at baby sleeping in crib, illustrating ways to reduce baby risk's of SIDS: Use a firm sleep surface, such as a mattress in a safety-approved* crib, covered by a fitted sheet; Do not use pillows, blankets, sheepskins, or crib bumpers anywhere in your baby's sleep area; Keep soft objects, toys, and loose bedding out of your baby's sleep area; Do not smoke or let anyone smoke around your baby; Make sure nothing covers the baby’s head; Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, for naps and at night; Dress your baby in sleep clothing, such as a one-piece sleeper, and do not use a blanket; Baby’s sleep area is next to where parents sleep; Baby should not sleep in an adult bed, on a couch, or on a chair alone, with you, or with anyone else. Inset image shows baby sleeping in bassinet; bassinet is next to adult bed; mom is in adult bed looking at baby in bassinet.

Printable versions of this safe sleep environment information are available below:

*Visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website for more information about crib safety: http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Safety-Education/Safety-Guides/Kids-and-Babies/Cribs/.