{ "release_id": "cb1244a2c7003676", "id": "maternal:guide-safe-sleep", "owner": "maternal", "kind": "patient_guide", "slug": "safe-sleep", "name": "Safe sleep explained", "aliases": [], "atlases": [ "maternal" ], "summary_plain": "What the Safe to Sleep® pages from NICHD say about how and where a baby sleeps, and why.", "summary_technical": "Static guide from NICHD Safe to Sleep® pages. It asks nothing of the reader, gives no personal advice and states no dose.", "editorial_state": "draft", "last_substantive_edit": "2026-10-15", "last_evidence_check": "2026-10-15", "next_review_due": "2027-04-15", "identifiers": [], "navigation": { "maternal": { "life-stage": [ "newborn", "infant-follow-up" ], "care-area": [ "infant-health" ] } }, "payload": { "purpose": "explainer", "audience": "Parents and other caregivers of babies, and the people supporting them", "about": [ "maternal:safe-infant-sleep", "maternal:sudden-unexpected-infant-death", "maternal:safe-to-sleep-campaign" ], "reading_grade_target": 9, "scope_note": "Written from pages of NICHD's Safe to Sleep® campaign in the United States. Left out are NICHD's steps on pacifiers, smoke, drugs and alcohol, prenatal care, vaccines and tummy time, and its points on hats and the signs of overheating.", "warning_blocks": [], "sections": [ { "heading": "What the advice is for", "statements": [ { "id": "campaign", "text": "NICHD leads the Safe to Sleep® campaign, which shares ways to help lower a baby's risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related deaths.", "cites": [ { "claim": "maternal:claim-safe-to-sleep-campaign-led-by-nichd" }, { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Introduction, paragraph 1" } ] }, { "id": "sids-def", "text": "NICHD describes SIDS as the sudden death of a baby younger than 1 year of age that has no known cause, even after a full investigation.", "cites": [ { "claim": "maternal:claim-us-sudden-infant-death-counts-and-definition" }, { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-sids-definition-2026-10-14", "locator": "What is SIDS?, paragraph 1" } ] }, { "id": "sids-cause", "text": "NICHD says researchers do not know exactly what causes SIDS.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-sids-definition-2026-10-14", "locator": "What causes SIDS?, paragraph 1" } ] }, { "id": "not-only-sids", "text": "NICHD says a baby can die during sleep from causes other than SIDS.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-sids-definition-2026-10-14", "locator": "Is it always SIDS?, paragraph 3, sentence 1" } ] }, { "id": "sleep-not-cause", "text": "NICHD says sleep itself does not cause SIDS or other sleep-related deaths.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-sids-definition-2026-10-14", "locator": "Is it always SIDS?, paragraph 3, sentence 2" } ] }, { "id": "other-sleep", "text": "NICHD says other sleep-related infant deaths are linked to how or where a baby sleeps or slept, and can include suffocation, strangulation, and entrapment or wedging.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-other-sleep-related-deaths-2026-10-15", "locator": "What Are Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths?, paragraphs 1 and 2 and list items 1 to 3" } ] }, { "id": "def-suffocation", "text": "NICHD describes suffocation as something, such as a pillow or an adult's arm, covering the baby's face and nose.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-other-sleep-related-deaths-2026-10-15", "locator": "What Are Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths?, list item 1" } ] }, { "id": "def-strangulation", "text": "NICHD describes strangulation as something pressing on or wrapping around the baby's neck or head.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-other-sleep-related-deaths-2026-10-15", "locator": "What Are Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths?, list item 2" } ] }, { "id": "def-entrapment", "text": "NICHD describes entrapment or wedging as the baby's body or head getting stuck between two objects, such as a mattress and wall, bed frame, or furniture.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-other-sleep-related-deaths-2026-10-15", "locator": "What Are Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths?, list item 3" } ] } ] }, { "heading": "Who the advice is for", "statements": [ { "id": "caregivers", "text": "NICHD says it is important for all caregivers to learn about safe infant sleep, including parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, babysitters, child care providers, and anyone who might care for a baby.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Introduction, paragraph 3" } ] }, { "id": "aap-basis", "text": "NICHD says its safe sleep actions are based on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on SIDS.", "cites": [ { "claim": "maternal:claim-nichd-safe-to-sleep-advice" }, { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Introduction, paragraph 1" }, { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Introduction, paragraph 2" } ] } ] }, { "heading": "Sleep position", "statements": [ { "id": "pos-advice", "text": "NICHD advises placing babies on their backs to sleep, for naps and at night.", "cites": [ { "claim": "maternal:claim-nichd-safe-to-sleep-advice" }, { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 1" } ] }, { "id": "pos-not-safe", "text": "NICHD says it is not safe to place babies on their sides or stomachs to sleep, not even for a nap.", "cites": [ { "claim": "maternal:claim-nichd-safe-to-sleep-advice" }, { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 1, item 2" } ] }, { "id": "pos-most-effective", "text": "NICHD calls always placing a baby on their back to sleep, for naps and at night, the most effective action that parents and caregivers can take to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related death.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-back-sleeping-2026-10-15", "locator": "About Back Sleeping, paragraph 1" } ] }, { "id": "pos-safest", "text": "NICHD says the back sleep position is the safest sleep position for all babies until they are 1 year old, including babies born preterm and babies with reflux.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-back-sleeping-2026-10-15", "locator": "About Back Sleeping, paragraph 2" } ] }, { "id": "pos-lower", "text": "NICHD says babies who sleep on their backs are at lower risk for SIDS than babies who sleep on their stomachs or sides.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 1, item 3" } ] }, { "id": "pos-side", "text": "NICHD says side sleeping is not recommended, because the side sleep position is unstable.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-back-sleeping-2026-10-15", "locator": "Is it OK if my baby sleeps on their side?, paragraph 1" } ] }, { "id": "pos-nap", "text": "NICHD says putting a baby who usually sleeps on their back onto the stomach or side to sleep, even just for a nap, greatly increases the risk for SIDS, up to 45 times higher in some studies.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-back-sleeping-2026-10-15", "locator": "Is it safe for someone like a grandparent, babysitter or child care worker to place my baby to sleep on their stomach or side?, paragraph 1" } ] }, { "id": "pos-always", "text": "NICHD says everyone who cares for a baby should always place the baby on their back to sleep, for all sleep times, including naps.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-back-sleeping-2026-10-15", "locator": "Is it safe for someone like a grandparent, babysitter or child care worker to place my baby to sleep on their stomach or side?, paragraph 1, sentence 2" } ] }, { "id": "pos-roll-both", "text": "NICHD says that once babies can roll from back to stomach and from stomach to back on their own, they can be left in the position they choose after starting sleep on their back.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-back-sleeping-2026-10-15", "locator": "What if my baby rolls onto their stomach on their own during sleep?, paragraph 1" } ] }, { "id": "pos-roll-one", "text": "NICHD says that if a baby can roll only one way on their own, the baby can be moved back onto their back after rolling onto their stomach during sleep.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-back-sleeping-2026-10-15", "locator": "What if my baby rolls onto their stomach on their own during sleep?, paragraph 1" } ] }, { "id": "pos-choke", "text": "NICHD says babies will not choke if they spit up or vomit while sleeping on their backs, and that healthy babies naturally swallow or cough up fluids.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-back-sleeping-2026-10-15", "locator": "Won’t my baby choke if they spit up when placed on their back to sleep?, paragraph 1" } ] }, { "id": "pos-reflux", "text": "NICHD says current evidence shows that even babies with reflux, when stomach juices or food and fluids back up into the throat, should be placed on their backs to sleep.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-back-sleeping-2026-10-15", "locator": "If my baby has reflux, should they still sleep on their back?, paragraph 1" } ] }, { "id": "pos-provider", "text": "NICHD says a concern about sleep position because of reflux or another medical condition can be talked over with the baby's healthcare provider.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-back-sleeping-2026-10-15", "locator": "If my baby has reflux, should they still sleep on their back?, paragraph 4" } ] } ] }, { "heading": "The sleep surface", "statements": [ { "id": "surf-describe", "text": "NICHD describes a safe sleep surface as firm, flat and level, and covered only with a fitted sheet.", "cites": [ { "claim": "maternal:claim-nichd-safe-to-sleep-advice" }, { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 2" } ] }, { "id": "surf-meaning", "text": "NICHD explains firm as returning to its original shape quickly if pressed on, flat as like a table and not a hammock, and level as not at an angle or incline.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 2" } ] }, { "id": "surf-soft", "text": "NICHD says soft surfaces, such as couches, sofas, waterbeds, memory foam, air and pillow-top mattresses, quilts, thick blankets, and sheepskins, are not safe for babies to sleep on.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 2, item 2" } ] }, { "id": "surf-incline", "text": "NICHD says sleep surfaces with one end higher than the other are not safe for babies, because the baby's body can slide down and the head can slump forward, which could block the airway and breathing.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 2, item 3" } ] }, { "id": "surf-standards", "text": "NICHD says the sleep surface, such as a mattress, and the sleep space, such as a crib, bassinet or portable play yard, should both meet the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 2, item 1" } ] }, { "id": "surf-devices", "text": "NICHD advises against using sitting devices, such as car seats and strollers, or carrying devices, such as carriers and slings, for a baby's regular sleep area or for naps.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 2, item 4" } ] }, { "id": "surf-device-move", "text": "NICHD advises moving a baby who falls asleep in a sitting or carrying device to their regular sleep space as soon as possible, once out of the vehicle.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 2, item 4" } ] }, { "id": "surf-slump", "text": "NICHD says letting a baby sit slumped over, like with their chin on their chest, could block the airway and breathing.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 2, item 5" } ] }, { "id": "surf-slump-risk", "text": "NICHD says young babies and those unable to control their head and neck muscles risk suffocation and death from sitting this way.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 2, item 5" } ] } ] }, { "heading": "What is in the sleep area", "statements": [ { "id": "area-remove", "text": "NICHD advises removing everything from a baby's sleep area except a fitted sheet covering the mattress.", "cites": [ { "claim": "maternal:claim-nichd-safe-to-sleep-advice" }, { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 5, item 1" } ] }, { "id": "area-soft", "text": "NICHD lists soft or squishy items, for example pillows, stuffed toys and crib bumpers, among the things that can pose dangers in the sleep area.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 5, items 2 and 3" } ] }, { "id": "area-over", "text": "NICHD also lists items under or over the baby, for example comforters, quilts, blankets and positioners.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 5, item 4" } ] }, { "id": "area-nonfitted", "text": "NICHD also lists items that are not fitted, even if lightweight, small or tucked in, for example loveys, cloths, non-fitted sheets and tucked-in blankets.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 5, item 5" } ] }, { "id": "area-weighted", "text": "NICHD also lists weighted items, for example weighted blankets, weighted swaddles and weighted objects.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 5, item 6" } ] }, { "id": "area-bumpers", "text": "NICHD says research links crib bumpers, and bedding other than a fitted sheet covering the baby's mattress, to serious injuries and deaths from SIDS, suffocation, entrapment, and strangulation.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 5, item 7" } ] } ] }, { "heading": "Where the baby sleeps", "statements": [ { "id": "room-advice", "text": "NICHD advises sharing a room with a baby for at least the first 6 months.", "cites": [ { "claim": "maternal:claim-nichd-safe-to-sleep-advice" }, { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4" } ] }, { "id": "room-space", "text": "NICHD advises giving a baby their own sleep space, such as a crib, bassinet or portable play yard, separate from the adult bed.", "cites": [ { "claim": "maternal:claim-nichd-safe-to-sleep-advice" }, { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4" } ] }, { "id": "room-safer", "text": "NICHD says room sharing, with the baby's sleep space near but not in the adult bed, is safer than sharing the bed with the baby, and also safer than putting the baby in their own room.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, item 2" } ] }, { "id": "bed-no", "text": "NICHD says bed sharing, when a baby shares a sleep surface with an adult, another child or a pet, is not recommended, because it increases the risk for SIDS and sleep-related death.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-safe-sleep-environment-2026-10-15", "locator": "Won’t I be able to better protect my baby from SIDS by bed sharing with them?, paragraph 1" } ] }, { "id": "bed-never", "text": "NICHD says babies should never sleep on an adult bed, couch or armchair by themselves, with others, or with pets.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-safe-sleep-environment-2026-10-15", "locator": "What does a safe sleep environment look like?, paragraph 3, sentence 2" } ] }, { "id": "couch-never", "text": "NICHD says couches and armchairs are never safe places for babies to sleep.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, item 6" } ] }, { "id": "couch-danger", "text": "NICHD says these surfaces are extremely dangerous when an adult falls asleep while feeding, comforting or snuggling with the baby.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, item 6" } ] }, { "id": "feed-clear", "text": "NICHD advises clearing all soft items and bedding from the adult's side of the bed before bringing a baby into the bed for feeding or comforting.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, item 4" } ] }, { "id": "feed-clear-why", "text": "NICHD says this may help prevent suffocation if the adult falls asleep.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, item 4" } ] }, { "id": "feed-back-own", "text": "NICHD advises putting the baby back in their own sleep space, close to the adult bed, when the feeding or comforting is finished.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, item 4" } ] }, { "id": "feed-return", "text": "NICHD advises putting a baby back in a separate sleep area as soon as the adult wakes, if the adult falls asleep while feeding or comforting the baby in bed.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, item 5" } ] }, { "id": "feed-longer", "text": "NICHD says research shows that the longer an adult shares a bed with a baby, the higher the baby's risk for suffocation and other sleep-related death.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, item 5" } ] } ] }, { "heading": "When NICHD says sharing an adult bed, couch or armchair is riskier", "statements": [ { "id": "tier-intro", "text": "NICHD says sharing an adult bed, couch or armchair with a baby can be risky, especially in some situations.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, item 7" } ] }, { "id": "tier-vh-soft", "text": "NICHD calls such sharing very high risk when the sleep surface is soft, such as a waterbed, old adult mattress, couch or armchair.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, items 8 and 9" } ] }, { "id": "tier-vh-adult", "text": "NICHD also calls such sharing very high risk when the adult is very tired, is taking medication that makes them drowsy, or is using substances like alcohol, or when their ability to respond is affected in some way.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, item 10" } ] }, { "id": "tier-vh-smoke", "text": "NICHD also calls such sharing very high risk when the adult smokes cigarettes or uses tobacco products, even if they do not smoke in the bed.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, item 11" } ] }, { "id": "tier-h-young", "text": "NICHD calls such sharing high risk when the baby is younger than 4 months old, regardless of adult smoking or sleep surface.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, items 12 and 13" } ] }, { "id": "tier-h-caregiver", "text": "NICHD also calls such sharing high risk when the adult is a caregiver other than the baby's parent, such as a grandparent or sibling.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, item 14" } ] }, { "id": "tier-hn-preterm", "text": "NICHD calls such sharing higher-than-normal risk when the baby was born preterm, before 37 weeks, or at a low birth weight.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, items 15 and 16" } ] }, { "id": "tier-hn-items", "text": "NICHD also calls such sharing higher-than-normal risk when the sleep area includes unsafe items, such as pillows or blankets.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, item 17" } ] } ] }, { "heading": "Temperature, swaddling and products", "statements": [ { "id": "temp-hot", "text": "NICHD says a baby can get overheated when wearing too many layers of clothes and bedding for the room temperature.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 9, item 1" } ] }, { "id": "temp-hot-risk", "text": "NICHD says overheated babies are at higher risk for SIDS and heat-related death.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 9, item 1" } ] }, { "id": "temp-wearable", "text": "NICHD advises dressing a baby in a wearable blanket or an extra layer of clothing to keep them warm without adding items to the sleep area.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 9, item 5" } ] }, { "id": "temp-head", "text": "NICHD advises keeping a baby's head and face uncovered during sleep.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 9" } ] }, { "id": "temp-vehicle", "text": "NICHD advises against leaving a baby alone in a vehicle, no matter the temperature outside.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 9, item 6" } ] }, { "id": "swaddle-sids", "text": "NICHD says swaddling does not reduce the risk of SIDS, though some babies are calmer and sleep better when they are swaddled.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 14, item 1" } ] }, { "id": "swaddle-roll", "text": "NICHD says swaddling increases the risk of suffocation and strangulation once a baby starts to roll over on their own.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 14, item 3" } ] }, { "id": "swaddle-stop", "text": "NICHD advises stopping swaddling when a baby starts rolling over, usually around 3 months of age.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 14, item 3" } ] }, { "id": "swaddle-back", "text": "NICHD says back sleeping is especially important for swaddled babies.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 14, item 4" } ] }, { "id": "swaddle-position", "text": "NICHD says a swaddled baby may have trouble moving out of the stomach or side positions, which puts them at greater risk for SIDS and other sleep-related death than the back sleep position.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 14, item 4" } ] }, { "id": "prod-none", "text": "NICHD says, \"No product can prevent SIDS.\"", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 12, item 2" } ] }, { "id": "prod-wedges", "text": "NICHD says many wedges, positioners and other products that claim to keep babies in one position, or to reduce the risk of SIDS, suffocation or reflux, do not meet federal guidelines for sleep safety.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 12, item 1" } ] }, { "id": "prod-inclined", "text": "NICHD says these products, such as inclined sleepers, are linked to injury and death, especially when used in a baby's sleep area.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 12, item 1" } ] }, { "id": "monitors", "text": "NICHD advises against using heart, breathing, motion or other monitors to reduce the risk of SIDS, and says these types of monitors are not effective at detecting or preventing SIDS.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 13 and item 1" } ] } ] }, { "heading": "Feeding", "statements": [ { "id": "feed-advice", "text": "NICHD advises feeding a baby human milk, as by breastfeeding.", "cites": [ { "claim": "maternal:claim-nichd-safe-to-sleep-advice" }, { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 3" } ] }, { "id": "feed-months", "text": "NICHD says that in most cases, pediatricians and other healthcare providers recommend feeding only human milk, with nothing added, if possible, for at least a baby's first 6 months.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 3, paragraph 1" } ] }, { "id": "feed-different", "text": "NICHD says babies born preterm or with certain health conditions may need different care.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 3, paragraph 1" } ] } ] } ], "checklists": [ { "heading": "Features NICHD's pages describe for a baby's sleep", "items": [ { "id": "ck-back", "text": "The baby placed on their back for every sleep, naps included.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 1" } ] }, { "id": "ck-surface", "text": "A sleep surface that is firm, flat and level, covered only with a fitted sheet.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 2" } ] }, { "id": "ck-standards", "text": "A sleep surface and sleep space that meet Consumer Product Safety Commission standards.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 2, item 1" } ] }, { "id": "ck-empty", "text": "Nothing in the sleep area except the fitted sheet covering the mattress.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 5, item 1" } ] }, { "id": "ck-space", "text": "The baby's own sleep space, such as a crib, bassinet or portable play yard.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4" } ] }, { "id": "ck-room", "text": "Room sharing for at least the first 6 months, with the baby's own sleep space separate from the adult bed.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4" } ] }, { "id": "ck-couch", "text": "The baby never sleeping on an adult bed, couch or armchair, by themselves, with others, or with pets.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-safe-sleep-environment-2026-10-15", "locator": "What does a safe sleep environment look like?, paragraph 3, sentence 2" } ] }, { "id": "ck-temp", "text": "Clothing suitable for the temperature of the room, with the baby's head and face uncovered.", "cites": [ { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 9, item 2" }, { "snapshot_id": "maternal:safetosleep-reduce-risk-2026-10-14", "locator": "Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 9" } ] } ] } ], "questions": [ { "text": "If I have a concern about my baby's sleep position because of reflux or another medical condition, what should I talk over with their healthcare provider?", "grounded_in": [ "pos-reflux", "pos-provider" ] }, { "text": "How can I check that a crib, bassinet or play yard, and its mattress, meet safety standards?", "grounded_in": [ "surf-standards" ] }, { "text": "What can keep my baby warm at night without adding items to the sleep area?", "grounded_in": [ "temp-wearable", "area-remove" ] }, { "text": "When should swaddling stop for my baby?", "grounded_in": [ "swaddle-stop", "swaddle-roll" ] }, { "text": "How can the other people who care for my baby learn this advice?", "grounded_in": [ "caregivers", "pos-always", "pos-nap" ] }, { "text": "What is a safer plan for night feeds if I might fall asleep while feeding my baby?", "grounded_in": [ "feed-clear", "feed-return", "bed-no" ] }, { "text": "How long should my baby be fed only human milk, and does that change if my baby was born early?", "grounded_in": [ "feed-months", "feed-different" ] } ] }, "content_digest": "c5f0c3006dc99fcea9d3c14734fa9baccea647a30078af86fb7616eb494e78a4", "review": 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