Good Night, Sleep Right. - The CJ Foundation for SIDS

Get the Facts
»» SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths, like accidental
suffocation, claim the lives of thousands of babies in the United
States every year.
»» Babies die each year when they are put to sleep in places that
are not safe for them.
Babies need a safe place to sleep to
reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome (SIDS) and other infant
sleep-related deaths.
Good Night,
Sleep Right.
»» Babies squirm, wiggle and roll and can end up in a dangerous
situation, which could cause them to accidentally suffocate.
»» By following these safe sleep recommendations, you can protect
your baby from getting into a dangerous situation like:
• Under a blanket or other bedding
• Up against bumper pads, a stuffed toy or other soft objects
• Up against or under an adult or child who is sharing the
same sleep area
• Trapped between the mattress and the wall, headboard,
footboard or the bed frame of an adult bed
More Helpful Tips
»» If your baby falls asleep while being held, move your baby to
his or her crib.
»» Car seats and carriers are made to transport your baby. After
traveling, take your baby out of the car seat or carrier. If your
baby is asleep, remove any loose clothing and place him or
her in a crib.
»» When away from home, make sure your baby will have a safe
place to sleep.
»» Crib bumpers are not necessary and should not be used
in the crib.
»» There is no proof that sleep positioners reduce the risk of SIDS.
In fact, they are dangerous and should not be used.
»» If you are using a hand-me-down crib, make sure you have all
the assembly parts and instructions. To see if it’s been recalled
because of safety issues, check www.recalls.gov.
»» Discuss any concerns about your baby with your doctor.
For more information or to find out about our
free educational materials call 888-8CJ-SIDS
or visit www.cjsids.org
SIDS and Safe Sleep
SIDS is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. It is
when an apparently healthy baby dies quickly
and without warning and no cause of death is
found. SIDS is the leading cause of death among
infants one month to one year of age. There is
no way to prevent SIDS but research shows that
if you follow the risk reduction and safe sleep
recommendations, it is less likely that your baby
will die of SIDS.
It is important that you always have a safe
place for your baby to sleep. Cribs, bassinets,
and cradles are made just for babies to sleep
in; adult beds, couches, and chairs are not. By
following the safe sleep recommendations, you
will be protecting your baby from SIDS and other
sleep-related deaths, which may be caused by
unsafe sleep situations.
Keep Your Baby Sleeping Safely.
1-888-8CJ-SIDS www.cjsids.org
Don Imus/WFAN Pediatric Center
Hackensack University Medical Center
30 Prospect Avenue
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Keep It Safe
Your baby should sleep in a
safety-approved crib with a
firm mattress covered with a tight fitted sheet.
A bassinet, cradle or play yard that meets safety
standards can also be used. Adult beds, couches,
chairs, pillows, quilts, and foam pads are never safe for
a baby to sleep on.
Keep loose bedding and soft objects out of your
baby’s crib. This includes blankets, quilts, comforters,
pillows, bumpers, and stuffed toys. Consider dressing
your baby in a wearable blanket at nighttime and
naptime.
Your baby’s crib should be in the same room where
you sleep. This keeps your baby close but separate from
where you and others sleep. Your baby should not sleep
with anyone else — adult or child. After feeding or
comforting, put your baby back in his or her crib.
Back to Sleep
Your baby should be placed
on his or her back for every
nighttime and naptime. Sleeping on his or her back
does not increase the risk of choking if your baby
spits up. And in fact, a baby who sleeps on his or her
stomach is at an increased risk of SIDS.
Offer your baby a pacifier at every nighttime and
naptime. Using a pacifier reduces the risk of SIDS.
However, if you are breastfeeding, consider waiting
until he or she is 1 month old or is used to
breastfeeding before using a pacifier.
Babies should not be overdressed for sleeptime.
The temperature where your baby sleeps should be
comfortable for a lightly clothed adult.
A Healthy Start
Your baby deserves a healthy
start.
When pregnant, do not use tobacco, drugs, or
alcohol. And don’t allow anyone to smoke around
your baby. Smoking during pregnancy and exposing
your baby to second-hand smoke increases the
risk of SIDS.
See your doctor regularly and bring your baby for
his or her check-ups.
Breastfeed your baby, if possible. Breastfeeding
reduces the risk of SIDS.
Play It Safe
Your baby should spend time
on his or her tummy to play
when awake and being watched closely. “Tummytime” will help prevent flat spots from developing on
your baby’s head. It also will make his or her neck and
shoulder muscles stronger.
Spread the News
Share this information with
everyone who takes care of your
baby to ensure these steps are followed when you are
not there.
These recommendations are consistent with those published by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Back to Sleep Campaign. © 2010, CJ Foundation for SIDS. Created as a public service by Della Femina, Rothschild, Jeary and Partners.