Safe Sleep Practices for Babies

The safest sleep position for babies is on their back, not their stomachs or sides, as both side and stomach sleeping come with an increased risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death. “Babies should always be put to sleep on their back,” said Jenelle Ferry, M.D., a board-certified neonatologist at Pediatrix® Neonatology of Florida. “This has been the single most important factor in reducing infant deaths.” Dr. Ferry noted that back in the early 1990s, when physicians discovered that babies who slept on their backs were much less likely to die of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, they began recommending that all babies sleep be put to sleep on their backs. Many babies, however, often roll onto their side on their own, and parents and caregivers may wonder if they need to be repositioned. “If your baby can’t yet roll over but gets onto their side, it’s OK to leave them sleeping,” said Dr. Ferry. “Just make sure you continue to put them to sleep on their backs, and ensure the rest of their sleep environment is safe.”

View the full story on Care