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Safe sleep explained

What the Safe to Sleep® pages from NICHD say about how and where a baby sleeps, and why.

What the advice is for

  • 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.1, 2
  • 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.3, 4
  • NICHD says researchers do not know exactly what causes SIDS.5
  • NICHD says a baby can die during sleep from causes other than SIDS.6
  • NICHD says sleep itself does not cause SIDS or other sleep-related deaths.7
  • 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.8
  • NICHD describes suffocation as something, such as a pillow or an adult's arm, covering the baby's face and nose.9
  • NICHD describes strangulation as something pressing on or wrapping around the baby's neck or head.10
  • 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.11

Who the advice is for

  • 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.12
  • NICHD says its safe sleep actions are based on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on SIDS.2, 13, 14

Sleep position

  • NICHD advises placing babies on their backs to sleep, for naps and at night.13, 15
  • NICHD says it is not safe to place babies on their sides or stomachs to sleep, not even for a nap.13, 16
  • 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.17
  • 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.18
  • NICHD says babies who sleep on their backs are at lower risk for SIDS than babies who sleep on their stomachs or sides.19
  • NICHD says side sleeping is not recommended, because the side sleep position is unstable.20
  • 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.21
  • NICHD says everyone who cares for a baby should always place the baby on their back to sleep, for all sleep times, including naps.22
  • 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.23
  • 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.23
  • 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.24
  • 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.25
  • NICHD says a concern about sleep position because of reflux or another medical condition can be talked over with the baby's healthcare provider.26

The sleep surface

  • NICHD describes a safe sleep surface as firm, flat and level, and covered only with a fitted sheet.13, 27
  • 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.27
  • 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.28
  • 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.29
  • 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.30
  • 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.31
  • 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.31
  • NICHD says letting a baby sit slumped over, like with their chin on their chest, could block the airway and breathing.32
  • NICHD says young babies and those unable to control their head and neck muscles risk suffocation and death from sitting this way.32

What is in the sleep area

  • NICHD advises removing everything from a baby's sleep area except a fitted sheet covering the mattress.13, 33
  • 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.34
  • NICHD also lists items under or over the baby, for example comforters, quilts, blankets and positioners.35
  • 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.36
  • NICHD also lists weighted items, for example weighted blankets, weighted swaddles and weighted objects.37
  • 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.38

Where the baby sleeps

  • NICHD advises sharing a room with a baby for at least the first 6 months.13, 39
  • NICHD advises giving a baby their own sleep space, such as a crib, bassinet or portable play yard, separate from the adult bed.13, 39
  • 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.40
  • 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.41
  • NICHD says babies should never sleep on an adult bed, couch or armchair by themselves, with others, or with pets.42
  • NICHD says couches and armchairs are never safe places for babies to sleep.43
  • NICHD says these surfaces are extremely dangerous when an adult falls asleep while feeding, comforting or snuggling with the baby.43
  • 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.44
  • NICHD says this may help prevent suffocation if the adult falls asleep.44
  • NICHD advises putting the baby back in their own sleep space, close to the adult bed, when the feeding or comforting is finished.44
  • 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.45
  • 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.45

When NICHD says sharing an adult bed, couch or armchair is riskier

  • NICHD says sharing an adult bed, couch or armchair with a baby can be risky, especially in some situations.46
  • NICHD calls such sharing very high risk when the sleep surface is soft, such as a waterbed, old adult mattress, couch or armchair.47
  • 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.48
  • 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.49
  • NICHD calls such sharing high risk when the baby is younger than 4 months old, regardless of adult smoking or sleep surface.50
  • 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.51
  • NICHD calls such sharing higher-than-normal risk when the baby was born preterm, before 37 weeks, or at a low birth weight.52
  • NICHD also calls such sharing higher-than-normal risk when the sleep area includes unsafe items, such as pillows or blankets.53

Temperature, swaddling and products

  • NICHD says a baby can get overheated when wearing too many layers of clothes and bedding for the room temperature.54
  • NICHD says overheated babies are at higher risk for SIDS and heat-related death.54
  • 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.55
  • NICHD advises keeping a baby's head and face uncovered during sleep.56
  • NICHD advises against leaving a baby alone in a vehicle, no matter the temperature outside.57
  • NICHD says swaddling does not reduce the risk of SIDS, though some babies are calmer and sleep better when they are swaddled.58
  • NICHD says swaddling increases the risk of suffocation and strangulation once a baby starts to roll over on their own.59
  • NICHD advises stopping swaddling when a baby starts rolling over, usually around 3 months of age.59
  • NICHD says back sleeping is especially important for swaddled babies.60
  • 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.60
  • NICHD says, "No product can prevent SIDS."61
  • 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.62
  • NICHD says these products, such as inclined sleepers, are linked to injury and death, especially when used in a baby's sleep area.62
  • 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.63

Feeding

  • NICHD advises feeding a baby human milk, as by breastfeeding.13, 64
  • 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.65
  • NICHD says babies born preterm or with certain health conditions may need different care.65

Features NICHD's pages describe for a baby's sleep

  • The baby placed on their back for every sleep, naps included.15
  • A sleep surface that is firm, flat and level, covered only with a fitted sheet.27
  • A sleep surface and sleep space that meet Consumer Product Safety Commission standards.30
  • Nothing in the sleep area except the fitted sheet covering the mattress.33
  • The baby's own sleep space, such as a crib, bassinet or portable play yard.39
  • Room sharing for at least the first 6 months, with the baby's own sleep space separate from the adult bed.39
  • The baby never sleeping on an adult bed, couch or armchair, by themselves, with others, or with pets.42
  • Clothing suitable for the temperature of the room, with the baby's head and face uncovered.56, 66

Questions to ask

  1. 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?
  2. How can I check that a crib, bassinet or play yard, and its mattress, meet safety standards?
  3. What can keep my baby warm at night without adding items to the sleep area?
  4. When should swaddling stop for my baby?
  5. How can the other people who care for my baby learn this advice?
  6. What is a safer plan for night feeds if I might fall asleep while feeding my baby?
  7. How long should my baby be fed only human milk, and does that change if my baby was born early?

Sources

  1. The Safe to Sleep campaign page says the campaign is led by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).

    Applies to Child
    • Babies younger than 1 year of age and the people who care for them. The Safe to Sleep campaign addresses parents, grandparents, other relatives, babysitters, child care providers and anyone who might care for a baby. Counts on the page are for the United States.
    • Home and child care sleep settings (the page lists parents, babysitters and child care providers).
    • United States (NICHD campaign)
    • Newborn and infant, younger than 1 year
    • Gestational age Not reported
    • Postnatal age Not reported
    Follow-up Not applicable (guidance and national counts)

    Limitations. This is the campaign's description of itself on its own page. Nothing about the campaign's partners or funding was read beyond that page's statement that many partners assist with outreach.

    • Supports About the Campaign (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), About the campaign, paragraph 2. Retrieved .
  2. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Introduction, paragraph 1. Retrieved .

  3. NICHD describes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) as the sudden death of a baby younger than 1 year of age that does not have a known cause, even after a full investigation. Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) is the wider group: all sudden, unexpected infant deaths, whether from a known cause such as an injury or accident or from an unknown cause such as SIDS. About 3,000 SUIDs occur in the United States every year, and more than 1 in 3 of them are from SIDS.

    Applies to Child
    • Babies younger than 1 year of age and the people who care for them. The Safe to Sleep campaign addresses parents, grandparents, other relatives, babysitters, child care providers and anyone who might care for a baby. Counts on the page are for the United States.
    • Home and child care sleep settings (the page lists parents, babysitters and child care providers).
    • United States (NICHD campaign)
    • Newborn and infant, younger than 1 year
    • Gestational age Not reported
    • Postnatal age Not reported
    Follow-up Not applicable (guidance and national counts)

    Limitations. The counts are from a NICHD page that cites a 2024 CDC data page, which the atlas did not read; the page does not say which year the counts refer to, and it gives rounded figures. The page does not give a rate per births. The definition of SIDS depends on an investigation, so a death that is later explained is not counted as SIDS.

    • Supports What is SIDS? (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), What is SIDS?, paragraph 1. Retrieved .
    • Supports What is SIDS? (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Is it always SIDS?, paragraph 3. Retrieved .
    • Supports What is SIDS? (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), How common is SIDS?, sentence 1. Retrieved .
    • Supports What is SIDS? (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), How common is SIDS?, sentence 2. Retrieved .
    • Background What is SIDS? (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Citations. Retrieved .
    • Background Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (MedlinePlus health topic) Webpage, MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, Summary, paragraph 1. Retrieved .
  4. What is SIDS? (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), What is SIDS?, paragraph 1. Retrieved .
  5. What is SIDS? (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), What causes SIDS?, paragraph 1. Retrieved .
  6. What is SIDS? (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Is it always SIDS?, paragraph 3, sentence 1. Retrieved .
  7. What is SIDS? (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Is it always SIDS?, paragraph 3, sentence 2. Retrieved .
  8. What Are Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths? (Safe to Sleep® campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep® campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), What Are Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths?, paragraphs 1 and 2 and list items 1 to 3. Retrieved .
  9. What Are Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths? (Safe to Sleep® campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep® campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), What Are Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths?, list item 1. Retrieved .
  10. What Are Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths? (Safe to Sleep® campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep® campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), What Are Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths?, list item 2. Retrieved .
  11. What Are Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths? (Safe to Sleep® campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep® campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), What Are Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths?, list item 3. Retrieved .
  12. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Introduction, paragraph 3. Retrieved .

  13. NICHD's Safe to Sleep campaign advises that babies be placed on their backs to sleep for naps and at night, and says it is not safe to place babies on their sides or stomachs to sleep, not even for a nap. It advises a sleep surface that is firm, flat and level and covered only with a fitted sheet; sharing a room, but not a bed, with the baby for at least the first 6 months, with the baby in their own sleep space; keeping everything except a fitted sheet out of the sleep area; and feeding human milk, as by breastfeeding. NICHD says these actions are based on the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on SIDS.

    Applies to Child
    • Babies younger than 1 year of age and the people who care for them. The Safe to Sleep campaign addresses parents, grandparents, other relatives, babysitters, child care providers and anyone who might care for a baby. Counts on the page are for the United States.
    • Home and child care sleep settings (the page lists parents, babysitters and child care providers).
    • United States (NICHD campaign)
    • Newborn and infant, younger than 1 year
    • Gestational age Not reported
    • Postnatal age Not reported
    Follow-up Not applicable (guidance and national counts)

    Limitations. This is a summary of the campaign's public advice. The atlas did not read the American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement on which NICHD says the advice is based, so the advice is attributed to NICHD and not to that statement. The page states that babies born preterm or with certain health conditions may need different care, and it gives sections on specific situations that are not summarised here. The advice reduces risk and is not a guarantee. A baby's doctor can advise on a baby's own situation.

  14. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Introduction, paragraph 2. Retrieved .
  15. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 1. Retrieved .
  16. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 1, item 2. Retrieved .
  17. About Back Sleeping (Safe to Sleep® campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep® campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), About Back Sleeping, paragraph 1. Retrieved .
  18. About Back Sleeping (Safe to Sleep® campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep® campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), About Back Sleeping, paragraph 2. Retrieved .
  19. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 1, item 3. Retrieved .
  20. About Back Sleeping (Safe to Sleep® campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep® campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Is it OK if my baby sleeps on their side?, paragraph 1. Retrieved .
  21. About Back Sleeping (Safe to Sleep® campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep® campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), 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. Retrieved .
  22. About Back Sleeping (Safe to Sleep® campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep® campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), 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. Retrieved .
  23. About Back Sleeping (Safe to Sleep® campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep® campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), What if my baby rolls onto their stomach on their own during sleep?, paragraph 1. Retrieved .
  24. About Back Sleeping (Safe to Sleep® campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep® campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Won’t my baby choke if they spit up when placed on their back to sleep?, paragraph 1. Retrieved .
  25. About Back Sleeping (Safe to Sleep® campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep® campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), If my baby has reflux, should they still sleep on their back?, paragraph 1. Retrieved .
  26. About Back Sleeping (Safe to Sleep® campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep® campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), If my baby has reflux, should they still sleep on their back?, paragraph 4. Retrieved .
  27. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 2. Retrieved .
  28. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 2, item 2. Retrieved .
  29. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 2, item 3. Retrieved .
  30. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 2, item 1. Retrieved .
  31. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 2, item 4. Retrieved .
  32. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 2, item 5. Retrieved .
  33. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 5, item 1. Retrieved .
  34. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 5, items 2 and 3. Retrieved .
  35. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 5, item 4. Retrieved .
  36. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 5, item 5. Retrieved .
  37. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 5, item 6. Retrieved .
  38. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 5, item 7. Retrieved .
  39. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4. Retrieved .
  40. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, item 2. Retrieved .
  41. Safe Sleep Environment for Baby (Safe to Sleep® campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep® campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Won’t I be able to better protect my baby from SIDS by bed sharing with them?, paragraph 1. Retrieved .
  42. Safe Sleep Environment for Baby (Safe to Sleep® campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep® campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), What does a safe sleep environment look like?, paragraph 3, sentence 2. Retrieved .
  43. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, item 6. Retrieved .
  44. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, item 4. Retrieved .
  45. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, item 5. Retrieved .
  46. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, item 7. Retrieved .
  47. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, items 8 and 9. Retrieved .
  48. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, item 10. Retrieved .
  49. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, item 11. Retrieved .
  50. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, items 12 and 13. Retrieved .
  51. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, item 14. Retrieved .
  52. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, items 15 and 16. Retrieved .
  53. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 4, item 17. Retrieved .
  54. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 9, item 1. Retrieved .
  55. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 9, item 5. Retrieved .
  56. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 9. Retrieved .
  57. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 9, item 6. Retrieved .
  58. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 14, item 1. Retrieved .
  59. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 14, item 3. Retrieved .
  60. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 14, item 4. Retrieved .
  61. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 12, item 2. Retrieved .
  62. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 12, item 1. Retrieved .
  63. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 13 and item 1. Retrieved .
  64. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 3. Retrieved .
  65. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 3, paragraph 1. Retrieved .
  66. Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (Safe to Sleep campaign) Webpage, Safe to Sleep campaign, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk, bullet 9, item 2. Retrieved .

About this guide

Written for
Parents and other caregivers of babies, and the people supporting them
What it covers
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.
Pages it explains
Sources checked
2026-10-15
Next check due
2027-04-15
Reading level
Estimated grade 8.9 (target 9)

Every sentence cites a source. Words in quotation marks are the source's own; the rest is the atlas's summary.

https://maternal.openmedicalatlas.org/guides/safe-sleep/ · Release cb1244a2c7003676, built 2026-10-15