Safe sleep practices

Posted on by Thomas Calder

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are about 3,500 sleep-related deaths among babies in the United States each year. Below are safe sleep practices recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

  • Until a child’s first birthday, babies should sleep on their backs both for naps and during the night.
  • Babies should sleep on a tight-fitting, firm mattress and fitted sheet.
  • Keep soft objects — including pillows, quilts, comforters, blankets, stuffed animals and bumper pads — out of your baby’s crib. These items increase the risk of suffocation and strangulation.
  • Never place your baby on a couch, sofa or armchair for naps or evening sleep.
  • Parents should consider having their baby sleep in the same room with them for at least the first six months. Bed sharing, however, is not recommended.

For additional information, visit AAP.org.

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About Thomas Calder
Thomas Calder received his MFA in Fiction from the University of Houston's Creative Writing Program. His writing has appeared in Gulf Coast, the Miracle Monocle, Juked and elsewhere. His debut novel, The Wind Under the Door, is now available.
View all posts by Thomas Calder →

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