The ABC(D)s of Infant Sleep Safety

Putting bumpers in a baby’s crib are just one of the things you can do that would unintentionally put your baby in danger.

Whether Maryland moves forward or not in banning the sale of bumpers, I advise against them, as well as other items in the crib like stuffed animals that could suffocate a baby.

Giving babies a safe place to sleep may sound fairly simple, but the fact is, unsafe sleep environments are the top cause of infant deaths in Baltimore County. Each year in the county, an average of 10 infant deaths are sleep-related. This accounts for more than half of all infant deaths.

What’s particularly tragic is that these babies went home from the hospital healthy. They weren’t sick, and they weren’t victims of abuse or car crashes. Their parents or caregivers were likely trying to do the right thing, but didn’t know—or consistently practice—the ABCs of sleep safety for infants.

Take for instance, the most common cause of infant death, which is from infants sleeping in an adult bed. No matter how good your intentions, the only safe place for a baby to sleep is in a crib or bassinet. You don’t want to do anything that would put your baby at risk of falling or suffocating.

In addition to parents, it is vital that everyone who cares for a baby understand the importance of sleep safety practices. This includes older siblings, grandparents, other relatives, babysitters and daycare providers.

Follow these safety tips every time you place a baby down to sleep:

• Have the baby sleep alone.
• Place the baby on his or her back to sleep.
• Put the baby in a safe crib or bassinet.
• Never let the bay sleep with other babies, children, adults or pets.
• Keep the crib or bassinet clutter-free, including no toys, stuffed animals or clothes.
• Don’t wait for the state to ban the sale of bumpers. Choose now not to place them, or pillows, quilts or comforters, in the crib or bassinet.
• Don’t allow a baby to sleep on an adult bed, water bed, couch or chair.

There’s an even easier easy way to remember the “ABCs (and now D) to keep your baby safe and sound: Babies should sleep ALONE on their BACKS in a safe CRIB and DON’T use crib bumpers.