Safe Infant Sleep

A photo of a mother in bed laying down tending to her infant child in their own crib. Text displaying 1, Crib is empty. No blankets, toys, pillows bumpers, loose or soft items. 2, Baby sleeping on their back. 3, Baby's crib is close in your room.

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Each year, about 3,500 infants die from a sleep-related death in the United States.

There are steps you - and everyone who cares for your baby - can take to ensure safe infant sleep. Following these steps for the first year of your baby’s life will help you and your baby sleep safe and sound.

  • Place your baby on their back to sleep for every sleep, including naps.
  • Use a firm, flat mattress (not inclined) with a well-fitted sheet.
  • Feed your baby only breastmilk for six months and continue breastfeeding for at least two years.
  • Share your room with your baby. Keep baby near your bed on their own safety-approved sleep surface like a crib, bassinet, or portable play yard with no other people or pets.
  • Keep everything out of your baby’s sleep area – no blankets, pillows, quilts, bumper pads, crib liners, sitting devices, toys, or other objects.
  • Avoid placing your baby to sleep on a couch, armchair, or seating device like a swing, baby seat, or car safety seat (except when in a car).

    Learn more ways to reduce baby’s risk: 

    safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov/safesleepbasics/risk/reduce

    Every caregiver can plan for safe infant sleep. 

    Every night. Every nap. Every feeding. Every time.


    This information is not just for parents! Share with everyone who cares for baby so they understand and practice safe infant sleep.

    Icons depicting Parents, Grandparents, Family, Child Care Providers and other caregivers.


    For Additional Resources:

    Two women reading a book on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. One woman is holding an infant.  

     

     Facts on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

     

     

     


    A woman supervising an infant in a crib, with the infant laying on their back to sleep.

     

     

     How to create a safe infant sleep area

     

     

     


    An infant laying on their back asleep in a crib.

     

     

     Answers to common Safe Infant Sleep Questions

     

     

     


    A woman breastfeeding her child.

     

     

     Information on how breastfeeding reduces the risk of SIDS

     

     

     


     

    Infographics

    English

    Safe Infant Sleep Environment Infographic Safe Infant Sleep Environment Checklist

    A picture of the Safe Sleep Environment Infographic.

    English 8.5x11 (PDF)

    A picture of the Safe Infant Sleep Checklist.

    English 8.5x11 (PDF)

     

    Spanish

    Safe Infant Sleep Environment Infographic (Spanish) Safe Infant Sleep Environment Checklist (Spanish)

    Spanish 8.5x11 (PDF)

    Spanish 8.5x11 (PDF)


    External links are informational and do not have the endorsement of the Texas Department of State Health Services.