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What are the 2 most important things to remember about safe sleep practices?
All infants under 12 months of age should always be placed on their back to sleep.
Tummy time is for babies who are awake and being watched. Your baby needs this to develop strong muscles.
Remember…Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play
How much tummy time should an infant have?
From the day the baby is born, tummy time can be started. Aim to do tummy time 2 to 3 times per day for a few minutes at a time, gradually increasing the time as your baby grows. A great time to do this is following a diaper change or when the baby wakes up from a nap.
Tummy time prepares babies for the time when they will be able to slide on their bellies and crawl. As babies grow older and stronger they will need more time on their tummies to build their own strength.
What if the baby does not like being on their tummy?
Some babies may not like the tummy time position at first. Place yourself or a toy in reach for baby to play with. Eventually your baby will enjoy tummy time and begin to enjoy playing in this position.
Doesn’t sleeping on their back cause the baby to have a flat head?
Parents and caregivers often worry about the baby developing a flat spot on the back of the head because of sleeping on the back. Though it is possible for a baby to develop a flat spot on the head, it usually rounds out as they grow older and sit up. There are ways to reduce the risk of the baby developing a flat spot:
When baby is awake, vary their position. Limit time spent in freestanding swings, bouncy chairs, and car seats. These items all put added pressure on the back of the baby’s head. Spend time holding the baby in your arms as well as watching him or her play on the floor, both on their tummy and on their back.
A breast-fed baby would normally change breasts during feeding; if the baby is bottle fed, switch the side that baby feeds on during feeding.
How can I exercise the baby while on their tummy?
Place yourself or a toy just out of the baby’s reach during playtime to get baby to reach for you or the toy.
Place toys in a circle around the baby. Reaching different points in the circle will allow baby to develop the appropriate muscles to roll over, scoot on their belly, and crawl.
Lie on your back and place baby on your chest. The baby will lift their head and use their arms to try to see your face.
While keeping watch, have a young child play with baby while on their tummy. Young children can get down on the floor easily. They have energy for playing with babies, may really enjoy their role as the “big kid,” and are likely to have fun themselves.
How do I create a safe sleep environment?
Always place babies on their backs to sleep, even for short naps.
Place babies on a firm sleep surface that meets current safety standards. For more information about crib safety standards, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site at www.cpsc.gov.
Keep soft objects, loose bedding, or any objects that could increase the risk of the baby getting trapped in them and being unable to breathe.
Make sure the baby’s head and face remain uncovered during sleep.
Place the baby in a smoke-free environment.
Do not let babies get too hot. Keep the room where babies sleep at a comfortable temperature. In general, dress babies in no more than one extra layer than you would wear. Babies may be too hot if they are sweating or if their chests feel hot. If you are worried that babies are cold, use a wearable blanket like a sleeping sack or warm sleeper that is the right size for each baby. These are made to cover the body and not the head.
If your infant is being cared for outside of your home, be sure to check that the place of care has a back to sleep safety policy.
National SIDS Resources
Healthy Child Care America (A former program of the American Academy of Pediatrics)
Visit www.healthychildcare.org/sids.html to download a free copy of Reducing the Risk of SIDS in Child Care Speaker’s Kit, AAP policy and research articles, and more.
Caring for Our Children, National Health and Safety Performance Standards
Visit the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education Web site at http://nrckids.org for more information.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Safe to Sleep Campaign
CJ First Candle
Visit www.cjfirstcandle.org
Association of SIDS and Infant Mortality Programs
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
This publication was adapted from information from American Academy of Pediatrics Patient Education materials.
Reviewed by: CPCMG Newborn Committee, TT D.O. | 05/2024