Infant safe sleep is a program where new parents adopt a series of behaviors and activities that helps to reduce Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in babies aged 1 month to 1 year of age.

In fact, SIDS is the leading leading cause of death among infants.

The ABC’s Of Safe Sleep

To Create a Safe Sleep Environment:

• Always place a baby on his or her back to sleep, for naps and at night, to reduce the risk of SIDS.
• Use a firm sleep surface, covered by a fitted sheet; a crib, bassinet, portable crib or play yard that conforms to the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is recommended.
• Your baby should not sleep in an adult bed, on a couch or on a chair alone, with you, or with anyone else.
• Keep your baby’s sleep area in the same room where you sleep (for the infant’s first year). Room sharing not bed-sharing.
• Always place the baby in a safety-approved crib, bassinet, portable crib for sleep.
• Sitting devices like bouncy seats, swings, infant carriers or strollers should not be used for routine sleep.
• Keep soft objects such as pillows and blankets, toys, and bumpers out of your baby’s sleep area.
• Wedges and positioners should not be used.
• Do not smoke during pregnancy or allow smoking around your baby.
• Do not let your baby get too hot during sleep.
• Breastfeed your baby.
• Give your baby a dry pacifier that is not attached to a string for naps and at night to reduce the risk of SIDS after breastfeeding is established.
• Supervised Skin to Skin is recommended to all mothers and infants immediately following birth regardless of feeding or delivery, (as soon as mother is medically stable, awake and able to respond to her newborn) and to continue for at least an hour. Once mother starts to get sleepy, return baby to bassinet
• Follow health care provider guidance on your baby’s vaccines and regular health checkups.

Consider using a Halo Sleep Sack for your newborn. They are available in the Newman Regional Health Auxiliary Gift Shop near entrance F. 

The Halo® SleepSack® wearable blanket replaces loose blankets in the crib that can cover your baby’s face and interfere with breathing. In addition to sleeping safer, it helps babies sleep better, too. It’s a warm cuddly blanket they can’t kick off; ensuring baby sleeps soundly throughout the night.

For additional information and education on safe sleep please visit:

Safe Sleep Kansas

Kansas Infant Death and SIDS Network

Cribs For Kids

Meet Sarah Fager, Newman Regional Health Certified Safe Sleep Instructor