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Back to Sleep

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You may have heard that infants can be at risk to die during sleep from unsafe sleep environments. Some of these deaths are from entrapment, suffocation and strangulation. Some deaths are from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). However, there are ways for parents to keep their sleeping baby safe. 

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In the NICU, your baby has been sleeping with the help of positioning aids and in many different positions.  Before you go home, your baby will be ready for "Safe Sleep":

  • Will have head of bed placed flat

  • Will be placed to sleep on his/her back at all times

  • Will be dressed in clothes - no hats

  • Will be swaddled to shoulder level or in a sleep sack

  • Positioning devices will be removed

  • Will have all toys and extra blankets removed

 

To get to "Safe Sleep," If your baby is greater than 32 weeks, stable and weighs more than 1500 grams we will start helping your baby by transitioning to "Safe Sleep":

  • Start sleeping more on his/her back
  • Start removing positioning devices one at a time working towards only swaddling or sleep sack
    • Z-flo will be the last item removed​
  • Have head of bed flat (not elevated) unless medically indicated

 

We do have signs posted at bedside so you can help with transitioning to "Safe Sleep"

 

At home remember:

  • Place your baby on their back when they are sleeping. Once your baby is old enough to roll from their back to their side or stomach on their own, they can be left in that position.

     

  • Place your baby on a firm mattress when they are sleeping.

     

  • The crib, bassinet, portable crib or play yard should meet current safety standards. Make sure product has not been recalled. Do not use a crib that is broken or missing parts. For more information about crib safety standards, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site at www.cpsc.gov

     

  • Cover the mattress that comes with the product with a fitted sheet. Do not put blankets or pillows between the mattress and the fitted sheet.

     

  • Keep soft objects, loose bedding or any objects that could increase the risk of entrapment, suffocation, or strangulation out of the crib.

     

  • Place your baby to sleep in the same room where you sleep, but not the same bed, for 3-6 months.

     

  • Breast feed as much and for as long as you can. Studies show that breast feeding your baby can help reduce the risk of SIDS.

     

  • Schedule and go to all well-child visits. Your baby will receive important immunizations. Recent evidence suggests that immunizations may have a protective effect against SIDS.

     

  • Keep your baby away from people who smoke and places where people smoke.

     

  • Do not let your baby get too hot.

     

  • Keep the room where your baby sleeps at a temperature that is comfortable for a lightly dressed adult.

     

  • Offering a pacifier at naptime and bedtime has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. If you are breast feeding you can wait to offer pacifier until breast feeding is established, usually 3-4 weeks.

     

  • Do not use positioning products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS. Products such as wedges, positioners, special mattresses, and specialized sleep surfaces have not been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. In addition, some infants have suffocated while using these products.

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Check out our Safe Sleep Information Guide

              Safe Sleep

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