September Is Baby Safety Month!
Make sure to create a safe sleep environment when you put your little one to bed.
Last year, we partnered with the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) to launch a citywide initiative to promote safe sleep practices for families with infants. This year, ACS and NYC Health + Hospitals introduced a Safe Sleep Toolkit Distribution Program to provide families and their newborns with resources for when they leave the hospital.
Here are some recommended guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics for infant safe sleep:
Babies should sleep on their backs until they turn 1. This makes it easier for them to breath and decreases the risk of choking if they spit up or vomit.
Use a firm sleep surface with a fitted sheet. Acceptable sleeping surfaces are cribs, bassinets and play yards. Unacceptable sleeping surfaces are car seats, swings, carriers and bouncers.
Bed sharing is not recommended. Bed sharing is when the baby sleeps with another person or pet on the same surface, such as a bed, couch or chair.
Room sharing is recommended for the first 6-12 months. This is when your baby’s sleeping area, such as a crib, is placed near your bed.
Keep the room at a comfortable temperature. You can also use a sleep sack or wearable blanket to keep your baby warm if needed.
Do not put toys, stuffed animals, pillows, bumper pads or blankets in the baby’s sleep area.
Never leave your baby alone
