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Follow these simple safety guidelines when
you put your child to sleep in his crib. These adjustments
may reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
and can also prevent more common dangers such as choking or
suffocating.
- Put babies to sleep on their backs, not on their stomachs,
for the first 12 months (fig.
1).
- Infants may begin to rollover onto their stomachs after
about 6 months, but this should not be cause for concern
since the risk of SIDS decreases significantly after that
time.
- Laying a baby on his side is also an acceptable alternative.
Simply position the lower arm forward to prevent the baby
from rolling onto his stomach.
- The mattress should be firm and should fit snugly into
the crib.
- Babies should not sleep on a waterbed, sofa, or other
soft surface that can impede his breathing if he sinks into
it.
- Keep the crib free of any stuffed toys, pillows, quilts,
and even blankets, if possible.
- Full-body pajamas can keep your baby warm enough and prevent
him from getting caught under a covering.
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