Safe Sleep
Safe Sleep Saves Lives.
DMHAS is committed to promoting and raising awareness on safe sleep practices. In 2024, 94% of infant sleep environment deaths in Connecticut were the result of sleep conditions that did not follow American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines. By following these guidelines and practices you can decrease the risk of an unsafe sleep environment.
- Share a room – but not a bed. A crib, bassinette, or bedside sleeper are the best places for baby to rest.
- Never let baby sleep on a couch or adult bed. While these are comfortable spots for adults, babies can easily roll into crevices or become entangled in sheets or pillows.
- Lay them on their back to sleep every time. Young infants up to 1 year old cannot roll, lift their heads, or reposition themselves safely. Placing young infants on their backs reduces the chance of their airway being blocked.
- Avoid too many clothing layers, including hats indoors. Babies can get overheated because they have limited ability to regulate their own body temperature
- Baby’s sleep surface should be firm and flat. This helps to avoid rolling and using a sheet that’s the right size and fits snugly reduces the risk of it inadvertently interfering with airflow.
- Make your safe sleep values clear to others. Ensure others caring for your child know what safe sleep practices are important to you.
- No bedding or soft objects in the crib. Soft bedding and bumpers might seem cozy or cute, but they actually increase risk to your baby’s breathing.
- Plan ahead if using medications or substances that could potentially impair your senses, or make you feel sleepy. Make sure you have someone else in place to help safely care for your baby.
These recommendations are also outlined in the resources below for programs to share with their clients and patients:
For additional resources and information on Safe Sleep visit the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)