Good sleeping habits are important to your baby’s physical health and emotional well-being. An important part of safe sleep for babies is the environment where your baby sleeps, his sleeping position, the kind of crib or bed, type of mattress, and so on.
Creating a safe sleep environment for your baby will reduce the risk of injuries and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). SIDS is when a baby dies unexpectedly while sleeping and no cause is identified after a thorough investigation, including a full autopsy.
SIDS is less common in babies whose parents do not smoke—especially babies whose mothers don’t smoke during pregnancy—and in babies who sleep on their back.
Where should my baby sleep?
For the first 6 months, the safest place for your baby is on his back, in a crib in your room. This will make night-time breastfeeding easier, and may help protect against SIDS.
How can I create a safe sleep environment for my baby?
- Starting from birth, place your baby to sleep on her back for the first year of life, at night time and for naps. When she can turn over on her own, you don’t need to force her on the back position.
- Use a firm, flat surface for sleep. Waterbeds, air mattresses, pillows, couches/sofas or soft materials are not safe sleep surfaces for babies. Babies can turn onto their stomach and bury their face in these soft materials, not getting enough air to breathe. Car seats and infant carriers should not replace the crib for your baby’s sleep.
- Keep soft materials out of your baby’s sleep environment: quilts, comforters, bumper pads, stuffed animals, pillows and other pillow-like items.
- Make sure your baby is not too warm. Use only a light blanket, or dress your baby in sleepers if the room is cool.
- Keep your baby away from cigarette smoke. Babies whose mothers smoked during pregnancy, and babies who are exposed to smoke after birth are at an increased risk of SIDS.
- Be sure your baby’s crib meets Health Canada ’s most current safety standards. For more details, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/cons/crib-lits/index_e.html or contact the nearest Consumer Product Safety Office, listed in the blue pages of your phone book.
Is bedsharing safe?
Some parents decide to bedshare, which means sleeping on the same surface with your baby.
Adult beds are not designed with infant safety in mind. That’s why they are not the safest place for babies to sleep:
- A baby can become trapped in a space between the mattress and the wall, or between the mattress and the bed frame.
- A baby can fall off a bed.
- An adult can roll over and suffocate a baby.
- Soft bedding, such as comforters or duvets, can cover a baby’s head and cause overheating. Babies who get their head covered during sleep are at increased risk of SIDS.
The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a crib close to your bed.
What about breastfeeding and safe sleep?
Breastmilk is the ideal food for babies. The CPS recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life. Your baby will be ready for other foods at 6 months, but you can continue to breastfeed for up to 2 years and beyond. The longer you breastfeed, the greater the benefits for you and your baby.
When you are breastfeeding, having your baby near you makes night-time feedings easier. But when you bring your baby into bed with you to breastfeed, it's easy for both of you to fall asleep, especially if you are lying down. Because of this, keep your baby's crib close to your bed, and put your baby back to sleep after the feeding is finished. Your baby will be close when it's time for the next feeding.
If you fall asleep with your baby in your bed, the risk of SIDS is even greater if you:
Under these circumstances, never take your baby into bed with you, even for a feeding. When it's time to feed your baby, be sure to go to a comfortable chair or other spot where you will not fall asleep.
Other surfaces are also unsafe for babies. Never lie down or sleep with your baby or let your baby sleep alone on a couch, sofa or armchair. A baby can become trapped down the sides or in the cushions and suffocate.
This information should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your physician. There may be variations in treatment that your physician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
