About Safe Sleep

The purpose of

Safe Sleep DC

The main purpose of Safe Sleep DC is to educate mothers, fathers, grandmothers, baby-sitters and home-care providers on the importance of placing your babies to sleep alone on their backs and in their own crib.

To sign up for a Safe Sleep DC Workshop, contact the Collaborative located in your WARD

The Safe Sleep DC

Program Provides

  • A public awareness campaign
  • SIDS Risk Reduction and Safe Sleep Practices Workshops
  • Demonstrations of what a “Safe Sleep Environment” look like
  • One-on-One and group education and support services for parents
  • Safety-approved Pack ’n Play provided to parents with newborns and children up to 1 year old. Other resources also available.

Your baby should always sleep

ALONE

Some Moms and Dads sleep with their babies in an adult bed. Or, they allow babies to sleep with other children or pets. This is not safe. Baby’s mouth or nose can become covered, keeping the baby from breathing.
• Your baby should sleep alone in a safe, empty crib.
• Baby’s caregiver should be nearby, in the same room, but not in the same bed.
• If your baby is in your bed to feed or comfort, put your baby in the crib for sleep.

Your baby should always be on his or her

BACK

The safest position for babies to sleep is on their backs. (Your baby should always sleep on his or her back unless your doctor has instructed you otherwise for medical reasons.)
• Keep baby’s room at 68 – 72 degrees. Not too warm. Not too cold.
• Have baby in a one-piece sleeper or sleep sack. Baby will stay warm and comfortable. No blankets needed.
• Keep the room smoke-free!

Your baby should always sleep on a firm mattress in a safe empty

CRIB

A safe crib is the best place for your baby to sleep. It is not safe for a baby to sleep in an adult bed, on a couch, chair, bean bag, waterbed, featherbed, futon or recliner.
A safe crib has:
• A firm mattress that fits the headboard and footboard tightly with no gaps.
• A sheet and mattress that fit tightly.
• No corner posts or cutouts in the headboard or footboard.
• No missing slats. Also, slats are not more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart (about the width of a soda pop can).
• No pillows, bumper pads, quilts, lamb skins, blankets, or stuffed toys.