2. Place infants to sleep in a baby bed with a firm mattress. There should be nothing in the bed
but the baby - no covers, no pillows, no bumper pads, no positioning devices and no toys. Soft
mattresses and heavy covering are associated with the risk for SIDS.
3. Keep your baby’s crib in the parents’ room until the infant is at least 6 months of age.
Studies clearly show that infants are safest when their beds are close to their mothers.
4. Do not place your baby to sleep in an adult bed. Typical adult beds are not safe for babies.
Do not fall asleep with your baby on a couch or in a chair.
5. Do not over-clothe the infant while she sleeps. Just use enough clothes to keep the baby
warm without having to use cover. Keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for you.
Overheating an infant may increase the risk for SIDS.
6. Avoid exposing the infant to tobacco smoke. Don't have your infant in the same house or
car with someone who is smoking. The greater the exposure to tobacco smoke, the greater the
risk of SIDS.
7. Breast-feed babies whenever possible. Breast milk decreases the occurrence of respiratory
and gastrointestinal infections. Studies show that breast-fed babies have a lower SIDS rate
than formula-fed babies do.
8. Avoid exposing the infant to people with respiratory infections. Avoid crowds. Carefully
clean anything that comes in contact with the baby. Have people wash their hands before
holding or playing with your baby. SIDS often occurs in association with relatively minor
respiratory (mild cold) and gastrointestinal infections (vomiting and diarrhea).
9. Offer your baby a pacifier. Some studies have shown a lower rate of SIDS among babies
who use pacifiers.
10. If your baby has periods of not breathing, going limp or turning blue, tell your pediatrician
at once.
11. If your baby stops breathing or gags excessively after spitting up, discuss this with your
pediatrician immediately.
12. Thoroughly discuss each of the above points with all caregivers. If you take your baby to
daycare or leave him with a sitter, provide a copy of this list to them. Make sure they follow
all recommendations.
