Safe Sleeping for Your Baby and You

www.BabyRoomToBreathe.org

Do:

·      Do put babies to sleep alone and on their backs.

·      Do put babies in cribs or on other firm surfaces with tight fitting bottom sheets. If the baby leaves an impression on the mattress, the surface is too soft.

·      Do keep babies away from second-hand smoke.

·      Do dress babies lightly and control the room temperature. 70 degrees is ideal.

·      Do breast feed and use pacifiers. Both are linked to a lower risk of sudden death.

·      Do share the information in this brochure with friends, relatives, babysitters, and others who may put your baby to sleep when you are away.

Don’t:

·      Don’t put a baby to sleep with blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, or bumper pads inside the crib.

·      Don’t cover a baby’s face or allow a baby to cover his or her face with anything.

·      Don’t let an infant sleep with older children.

·      Don’t ever sleep with an infant if you are unusually tried or if you are drunk or under the influence of illegal drugs or any medicine that makes you groggy.

·      Don’t put a baby to sleep on chairs, sofas, futons, beanbags, or cushions.

·      Don’t put a baby to sleep on a soft mattress such as pillow-tops, waterbeds, or memory foam. If the baby leaves an impression in the mattress, it’s too soft.

·      Don’t expose a baby to second-hand smoke.


Texas Department of Family and Protective Services