Safe infant sleep: tips every parent should know

Written By Kayla Jacunski

Hello! Thank you so much for your support of my Dreamlings journey, and for tuning into my first blog post. I’ve always had a love for research, learning, and creating, and I’m SO excited to use this blog (as well as social media) to do so in a way that helps families access valuable information. There is so much information out there, and trying to digest all of it to make informed decisions can be so overwhelming. My goal with this blog is to take some of that weight off of your shoulders. I’ll rake through all of the latest research so you don’t have to (my psychology-oriented brain is really excited for this part!), and present it to you in an enjoyable, easy to digest way. Hopefully you’ll also get to know me better along the way!

If you take any advice from me at all, make it this. Safe sleep should always be top priority. So many parents are unaware of small tweaks that can make a huge impact on reducing their baby’s safety risks while sleeping. Here are the basics:

SUID/SIDS

Sudden Unexplained Infant Death (SUID) is a term that encapsulates all sudden unexplained deaths in babies under 1 year of age, whose cause of death is not known prior to investigation. This includes:

  • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

  • Accidental deaths (includes suffocation, entrapment, and strangulation)

  • Natural deaths (medical conditions)

SIDS is the term used when the cause of death remains unknown following investigation. In 2022, 41% of SUID cases were attributed to SIDS. SIDS is the leading cause of death between the ages of 1 month and 1 year, with the majority of cases occurring between 2-4 months. While these unexplained deaths remain a mystery, recent research has narrowed in on these possibilities:

  • Rebreathing theory: Asphyxiation, suffocation, and entrapment (more on this below)

  • Brain stem abnormalities

  • Genetics

  • Respiratory infections

The rebreathing theory proposes that some SIDS cases may be caused by an obstruction of airflow, which causes infants to re-breathe their exhaled, oxygen-deficient air. Stomach-sleeping, routine sleep in sitting devices such as car seats and strollers, and soft objects in a sleep environment, can cause a pocket of carbon dioxide around the baby’s nose and mouth, which can potentially prompt a fatal event. Here’s a helpful visual:

SIDS cases have fallen 50% since the Back to Sleep (later renamed Safe to Sleep) campaign was created in 1994, to stress the importance of laying babies down to sleep on their backs. You can learn more about safe sleep from the Safe to Sleep campaign here.

Guidelines to Safe Sleep

The unknowns of SIDS are incredibly daunting. The good news is that we do know of many protective factors that have been proven to reduce the risk. There are plenty of things that you can do right now to protect your baby.

Here are some of the most important guidelines to minimize your baby’s risk. I highly recommend reading the AAP’s full list of recommendations in depth.

  • Put your baby to sleep on their back for all naps and night sleep.

  • Use a firm, flat sleep surface, such as a crib or bassinet. Avoid couches, recliners, car seats, strollers, and other inclined surfaces for sleep.

  • Remove all soft bedding and other soft objects from your baby’s crib. This includes pillows, blankets, crib bumpers, and stuffed animals. 

  • Room sharing is recommended for the first 6 months (as long as baby has their own crib or bassinet).

  • Dress your baby in breathable fabrics for sleep to avoid overheating.

  • Skin to skin contact for at least one hour following birth.

  • Breastfeed for as long as possible.

  • Offer a pacifier for sleep.

  • Increase supervised tummy time.

  • Immunizations in accordance with AAP and CDC guidelines.

Common Questions & Concerns

Won’t my baby choke if they’re on their back?

No! Infants have a reflex that clears their airway to avoid choking. They’re actually less likely to choke while on their backs.

How do I keep my baby warm and comfortable without a blanket?

Cotton pajamas and sleep sacks are a great option that provide warmth, comfort, and breathability, without the risk.

Does swaddling reduce the risk of SIDS?

There is no research to suggest that swaddling reduces the risk of SIDS. Just make sure to stop swaddling when your baby starts to roll over, so that they can reposition themselves throughout the night.

How long will my baby be at risk of SIDS?

SIDS only refers to infants under 1 year of age. After this point, the risk of unexplained deaths is significantly reduced.


For more information, FAQ’s, and resources, please visit https://safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov/resources/toolkit/partners .

Kayla Jacunski