How to Prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Choose a safe bed for your baby. Choose a crib, bassinet or play yard that meets current safety recommendations and standards. Visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission's website to search the product recall database and make sure the bed you use for your baby has not been recalled.

Assemble the crib according to the manufacturer's instructions. Check assembly carefully to ensure that it operates correctly and that you haven̵7;t forgotten any parts. Do not use a crib that doesn̵7;t function correctly or has missing pieces because this could contribute to an injury to your baby.

Set up the crib in your bedroom, within arm̵7;s reach of your bed, recommends the AAP. Room sharing (not bed sharing) with your baby decreases SIDS risks by up to 50 percent over babies sleeping alone in another bedroom, according to the journal ̶0;Pediatrics.̶1;

Create a safe sleep environment for your baby. Place a fitted sheet over a mattress designed for your specific crib. Do not add any other items to the sleep space, including bumpers, blankets, pillows or toys, because these items pose a suffocation or strangulation risk.

Dress your baby appropriately for sleep to prevent overheating. One additional layer than your own typical sleep attire should be sufficient to keep your baby comfortable at night. Your baby may not need the extra layer, however, depending on the ambient temperature of your bedroom.

Swaddle your baby with a receiving blanket, if you choose, but follow AAP recommendations for safety. Swaddle only babies younger than 8 weeks to avoid the possibility that your baby could roll onto her tummy while swaddled. Keep the swaddling blanket loose enough to insert two fingers between the blanket and your baby̵7;s chest. Do not swaddle your baby̵7;s lower body to prevent injury to hips. Monitor your baby closely while swaddled to ensure that the swaddling blanket does not unwrap and to make sure she does not overheat. If your little one sweats or appears flushed, unwrap her and allow her to cool down.

Place your baby in bed on his back every time. Never place your baby on his tummy or side to sleep. Tummy time should only occur during supervised play time.

Give your baby a pacifier for sleep time. Pacifiers reduce SIDS risk, according to the AAP.

Breastfeed your baby, if possible. Breastfeeding, even on a limited basis, reduces SIDS risk, says the AAP.

Avoid smoky environments with your baby. An environment filled with secondhand smoke is harmful for babies.

Adhere to the recommended immunization schedule for babies, created by the AAP. Immunizations help protect babies from SIDS as well.