How to Position an Infant for Sleep

The way you position your baby in his bed to sleep can have a significant impact on his overall safety. To help prevent sudden infant death syndrome, the American Academy of Pediatrics has been recommending since 1994 that babies sleep on their backs. Follow AAP recommendations, and position your baby in his bed carefully to reduce safety risks.

Things You'll Need

  • Fitted sheet

Instructions

    • 1

      Place your baby directly onto a firm bassinette or crib mattress, covered only with a fitted sheet. Do not lay your little one on blankets, pillows, sheepskin or any other soft, porous surface because these may prevent her from breathing if she snuggles her face into them, warns the AAP̵7;s HealthyChildren.org website. If your baby needs the warmth of a blanket, dress him in a one-piece sleeper, wearable blanket or sleepsack, suggests HealthyChildren.org.

    • 2

      Position your infant on his back -- never on his tummy or side. With the incidence of SIDS highest during the first 6 months of life, back positioning has the most critical importance during this period.

    • 3

      Remove all extraneous items from your baby̵7;s sleep area to ensure that he doesn̵7;t burrow his face into them while he's in bed. Do not place stuffed animals, blankets, crib bumpers or pillows in your baby̵7;s bed.

    • 4

      Alternate the side of the bed on which you place your infant̵7;s head every other night to help maintain his head shape and prevent plagiocephaly, advises the Virginia Commonwealth University. By placing your baby̵7;s head at the foot of the crib one night and at the head of the crib the next night, you help ensure that both sides of your little one̵7;s head receive equal pressure from the way he turns his head while in bed.

    • 5

      Maintain the back-sleeping position for your infant throughout the first year of life, advises the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the ̶0;Infant Sleep Position and SIDS̶1; publication. Always place your baby on his back when you put him in bed for sleep.

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