After your baby is born:

• Breastfeed your baby if possible--breastfeeding is best for your baby
• Keep your home smoke-free
• Spend time holding, loving and cuddling your baby
• Check to be sure your baby's car seat is properly secured in the back seat
• Keep all your well-baby checkups
• For more information, check out these resources and talk with your healthcare provider

Safe Sleep Facts      [print version]

• Putting your baby in a safe sleep environment helps reduce Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
• SIDS is the sudden death of a baby from unknown causes before the baby is one year old
• The exact cause of SIDS is not known, but there are some simple actions you can take to reduce the risk of SIDS

Safe Sleep Tips     [en español]

• Place babies on their BACKS to sleep for naps and at night
• Make sure no one smokes in your home or around your baby
• Keep soft blankets, toys, bumper pads and pillows away from babies' sleeping space
• Don't wrap the baby with lots of blankets and clothes
• Don't put the baby to sleep on soft surfaces such as a couch, pillow, waterbed, recliner, or beanbag chair
• Share this information with everyone who cares for your baby

Safe Sleeping with your Baby     [en español]

Sleeping near your baby is helpful for bonding, maintaining close contact and to aid in breastfeeding.

You may choose to place the crib next or close to your bed and/or to share your bed with your baby.

DO NOT sleep with your baby if you:

• smoke or drink alcohol
• take medications which could make you sleepy
• are very tired or do not wake up easily
• sleep on a soft surface like a waterbed or couch
• share your bed with other children or pets
• sleep in a bed that has a headboard, footboard, railings or is placed against a wall (instead, place a firm mattress on the floor to prevent the baby from becoming trapped or falling)

For other infant/child safety & safe sleep resources, click here.