Safe Sleep Program

Committed to promoting the safest way to put babies to bed.

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Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is one of the leading causes of infant death in the United States, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The teams at The Women’s Hospital at Jackson Memorial and Holtz Children’s Hospital are committed to educating parents to help avoid these tragic losses.

SIDS, which is one form of sudden unexpected infant death (SUID), frequently occurs when infants are sleeping. That is why we are committed to promoting the safest ways to put babies to bed. This work has earned us a Gold Certified Safe Sleep Champion designation from the Cribs for Kids®️ National Safe Sleep Hospital program, the highest-level certification in the field.

When you choose us to deliver your baby, you will receive the necessary education and tools to help protect your infants when they sleep.

A digital call between three professionals

Parental Guidance – Safe Sleep

Learn how to ensure your baby is sleeping safely with some help from our medical experts, Olga Abiri, PhD, MSN, RNC-MNN, C-Efm, director of Women’s Services at The Women’s Hospital, and Sharon Burbelo, PhD, CDE, RN, maternal family health liaison at The Women’s Hospital.

Here are some general safe sleep tips:

Place babies on their back every time you put them down to sleep, including naps.

Place the baby on a surface that is firm, flat, and covered with a tight-fitting sheet. Mats that are too soft, curved, or angled in any way pose a serious risk.

Do not sleep in the same bed or space as your infant. It can increase the possibility of the baby being smothered by pillows, blankets, or an adult rolling over them. Instead, provide the baby with a separate sleeping area, such as a crib, bassinet, or portable play yard.

Keep your infant’s sleep space in your room for at least the first six months to ensure you can hear any signs of distress.

Keep all items out of the baby’s sleeping area, including toys, pillows, blankets, and bumpers.

It is safe to give your baby a pacifier to go to sleep, but avoid using pacifier strings, which can become choking hazards.

Avoid swaddling your baby once they start rolling over on their own, which usually occurs after three months.

Avoid wedges, sleep positioners, or other products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS. Few such products meet federal guidelines, and many are linked to increased risk of injury or death.

Ensure that all of your infant’s caregivers – parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and siblings – follow these guidelines.