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Safe Sleep

Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's

Safe sleep tips from a gold certified safe sleep hospital

Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's Medical Center - Temple is designated as a Gold Certified Safe Sleep Hospital. We are the only children's hospital in Texas to receive the Gold designation.

Our goal is to educate parents and caregivers about how to create a safe sleeping environment for babies. This includes the proper sleep position (on the back) on a firm mattress in a safety-approved crib with no soft bedding or blankets in a smoke-free environment.

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Tips for Safe Sleep

Make sure your caregiver knows the rules for safe sleep when you are not home or your baby is in daycare.

  • Sleeping on the back helps prevent SIDS
  • Make the Crib a Safe Place
  • Soft Bedding Is Not Safe
  • Share a Room, Not a Bed
  • Smoke-Free is Best

Sleeping on the back helps prevent SIDS

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) typically affects babies during their first year of life. SIDS is the unexpected death of a healthy infant whose death remains unexplained even after a complete post-death investigation.

Not all SIDS deaths can be prevented. However, the risk for this family tragedy can be reduced by following safe sleep practices. Begin by always placing your baby on his or her back for sleeping. Back sleeping (called the supine position) is recommended by pediatricians to keep airways open and breathing easy. Don’t worry about choking. Healthy babies automatically swallow or cough up fluids.

Always place your baby on his or her back for naps and longer sleep. Infants who sleep on their stomachs or sides have a higher rate of SIDS than infants who sleep on their backs.

Place your baby on the stomach only when he or she is awake and someone is watching. Tummy time helps your baby’s muscles get stronger and helps to prevent flat spots on the head.

Make the Crib a Safe Place

Bed sharing increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome and other dangers, such as suffocation. Make your baby’s crib a safe place to sleep.

Ensure your baby’s crib meets the appropriate safety regulations. New cribs on the market today meet the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. Ask a salesperson if you’re not sure if the crib meets all safety requirements.

If you are using a used crib, make sure there are no sharp or jagged edges, broken or loose parts, or side latches that can be easily released by your baby. Crib slats should be no more than 2-3/8 inches apart and gaps between the sides of the crib and the mattress should be no larger than two fingers’ width.

Use a firm mattress covered only with a crib sheet. Do not use pillows, quilts or comforters, loose sheets or blankets, crib bumpers, sleep positioners, stuffed toys, water beds or other soft bedding products. Do not place your baby to sleep on beds, chairs, sofas, soft surfaces, bouncy chairs, baby swings or car seats.

Soft Bedding Is Not Safe

Place nothing in the crib but the baby—no covers, no pillows, no bumper pads and no toys. Soft bedding—such as bumpers, pillows and loose blankets—is associated with the risk of SIDS and can suffocate a baby by blocking the airway during sleep. Tiny faces can become wedged against soft objects, interfering with breathing.

Do not over-clothe your baby during sleep. Use just enough clothes to keep your baby warm and keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for you. Overheating an infant may increase the risk of SIDS. Use a sleep sack (wearable blanket), not loose blankets, to keep your baby comfortable.

Share a Room, Not a Bed

Babies are at risk of physical harm when in bed with an adult. Infants can be crushed or suffocated if someone rolls on them.

Room-sharing is a safer option than having your baby in bed with you. Place the bassinet, crib or play pen in your bedroom during the early months for more convenient feeding and cuddle time. Always return your baby to the bassinet, crib or play pen when you’re ready to go back to sleep.

Smoke-Free is Best

Do not allow smoking around your baby. The greater the baby’s exposure to tobacco smoke, the greater the risk of SIDS.

Dos

 
  • Lay your baby on his or her back for sleeping
  • Use a safe crib with a firm mattress covered only with a crib sheet
  • Use a sleep sack (wearable blanket), not loose blankets, to keep your baby warm
  • Share a bedroom, but not the same sleeping surface preferably until the baby turns one but at least for the first six months. Room-sharing decreases the risk of SIDS by as much as 50 percent.

Don'ts

 
  • Put your baby to sleep on beds, chairs, sofas, soft surfaces, bouncy chairs, baby swings or car seats
  • Do not allow children to sleep in car seats. This places a child at risk for suffocation and strangulation
  • Use pillows, quilts or comforters, loose sheets or blankets, crib bumpers, sleep positioners, stuffed toys, water beds and other soft bedding products
  • Share your bed with your baby

Ask for help

If you are concerned about your baby's sleep patterns, breathing or crying, ask your doctor to check your child. Call 254.724.KIDS (5437) for an appointment. If you do not have a safe place for your child to sleep, ask your pediatrician for resources.

Online Resources

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