Safe Sleep Saves Lives!One of the most important decisions you will make as a new parent is where and how you place your baby to sleep. If you follow these safe sleep rules, you will help protect your baby from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), suffocation and accidents during sleep.

• Alwaysplaceyourbabytosleeponhisback.Sideandtummypositionsare not safe.

• Useacribthatmeetscurrentsafetystandards.Themattressshouldbefirm andfitsnugglyinthecrib.Coverthemattresswithonlyatight-fittingcrib sheet. Portable cribs and play yard style cribs are also good choices.

• Donotputanythingsoft,looseorfluffyinyourbaby’ssleepspace.This includespillows,blankets,comforters,softorpillow-likebumpers,stuffed animalsandothersoftitems.

• Useasleepsackorothertypesleeperinsteadofblanketstokeepyourbaby warm and safe.

• Placeyourbaby’sseparate,safesleepspacenearyourbedtohelpyouprotect herandmakebreastfeedingeasier.Thisiscalledroomsharing.

• Fallingasleepwithyourbabyinbedoronacouchorarmchairisdangerous. Room share instead.

• Neverplaceyourbabytosleepontopofanysoftsurface.Thisincludesadult beds, waterbeds, pillows, cushions, comforters and sheepskins.

• Donotusewedgesorpositionerstopropyourbabyuporkeephimonhisback.

• Makesureyourbabydoesn’tgettoowarmduringsleep.Uselightsleepclothingandkeeproomtemperature atwhatwouldbecomfortableforalightly-clothedadult.

• Offeryourbabyapacifiereverytimeyouplaceherdowntosleep.Ifyouarebreastfeeding,waituntilnursing iswellestablishedbeforeusingapacifier(usuallyaround1month.)

• Educateeveryonewhocaresforyourbabyaboutthesesafesleeprules!

Other ImpOrtant tIps• Donotsmokewhenyouarepregnantandmakesurethatnoonesmokesaroundyourbabyafterheisborn.

• Getgoodprenatalcareassoonasyouknowyouarepregnantandkeepallyourdoctor’sappointments.

• Ifpossible,giveyourbabyonlybreastmilkforatleastthefirstsixmonths.

• Giveyourbabylotsoftummytimewhensheisawakeandbeingwatched.Thishelpsmakeherarmandneck musclesstrongandpreventsflatspotsonthebackofherhead.

For more inFormation on wayS to heLp your baby Survive and thrive, viSit www.FirStcandLe.org or caLL 1.800.221.7437.

Brought to you by First Candle, a leading national nonprofit dedicated to safe pregnancies and the survival of babies through the first years of life.