Mississippi State Department of Health
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Safe Sleep

Sleep-related deaths (SIDS and SUID) are the third-leading cause of death for Mississippi infants. Simple steps can reduce the risk of sleep-related death and help infants reach a safe and healthy first birthday.

 

The mission of Safe Sleep Mississippi is to eliminate infant deaths in Mississippi from SIDS and other sleep-related accidents.

What You Can Do

Each time you put your infant to sleep, at night or for a nap, follow the ABCS of safe sleep:

  • Babies are safer from suffocation when they sleep alone without an adult, other children or pets in the same bed or crib.
  • placing babies to sleep on their back has dramatically reduced sleep-related deaths over the years.
  • An empty crib without pillows, blankets, bumpers or toys keeps your baby safe from risks to their breathing.
  • Don't smoke or let others smoke in the home where your baby is. Exposure to tobacco smoke increases the risk of sleep-related death.

Place infants to sleep alone, on their back, in a empty crib, in a smoke-free environment.

 

Who Should Know About Safe Sleep?

Everyone who cares for your baby should know about safe sleep practices.

Parents

Grandparents

Family members

Babysitters

 

Setting Up for Safe Sleep

Safe and Comfortable

Instead of a blanket, put your baby to sleep in a one-piece outfit. Make sure it's the right size, and not too big, so that it won't accidentally cover the baby's mouth or nose.

Mattresses should be firm and not soft, with a snugly fitted flat sheet.

Steps to Safe Sleep

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following ways to prevent infant sleep deaths. Make sure that relatives, friends and caregivers who may look after your child also know these important steps.

  • Place infants on their backs for sleep in their own sleep space with no other people. Your baby should not sleep with you or with anyone else due to the danger of accidental suffocation.
  • Use a crib, bassinet or portable play yard with a firm, flat (not inclined) mattress and a fitted sheet. Avoid sleeping on a couch or armchair or in a seating device, like a swing or car safety seat (except while riding in the car).
  • Keep loose blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, bumpers and other soft items out of the sleep space.
  • Breastfeed if possible.
  • Offer a pacifier at naptime and bedtime
  • Avoid exposure to smoke and nicotine during pregnancy and after birth.
  • Avoid alcohol, marijuana, opioids, and illicit drug use during pregnancy and after birth.
  • Avoid overheating and head covering in infants.
  • Give your infant time on their tummies when they're awake for short periods of time while you watch them. Start with a few minutes a day and increase gradually to about 30 minutes total a day at age seven weeks.

How a Sleep Routine Helps

A simple routine you follow with your baby each night can help it sleep more quickly and quietly.

  • A bath before bed helps your baby relax.

  • Feed before bed for a more comfortable sleep.

  • Reading comforts your baby with the sound of your voice.

  • Put your baby to sleep on its back until it's one year old. It's OK if the baby rolls over on its own.

 

Resources for Safe Sleep

Baby Product Recalls

The Consumer Product Safety Commission issues recalls on baby products that may be unsafe.

You can also report a product that you think is unsafe.

Contact

Mississippi State Department of Health
570 East Woodrow Wilson
Osborne Building, Suite 200
Jackson, MS 39216

Phone: 601-576-7619

Links referenced on this page
Baby's Safe Sleep Crib Checklist    http://msdh.ms.gov/page/resources/19983.pdf
Creating a Healthy Home Checklist    http://msdh.ms.gov/page/resources/4353.pdf
A Sleep Routine for Your Baby    http://msdh.ms.gov/page/resources/21273.pdf
What a Safe Sleep Environment Looks Like    https://www.nichd.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/NICHD_STS_2022_Handout_English508_0.pdf
View baby and children's product recalls    https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls?tabset=on&search_combined_fields=&field_rc_date_value=&field_rc_date_value_1=&field_rc_hazards_target_id=All&field_rc_recall_by_product_target_id=119&field_rc_manufactured_in_value=&field_rc_date_value=&field_rc_date_value_1=&field_rc_hazards_target_id=All&field_rc_recall_by_product_target_id=119
Noticias en español    https://www.cpsc.gov/es/Noticias?tabset=on&search_combined_fields=&field_rc_date_value=&field_rc_date_value_1=&field_rc_hazards_target_id=All&field_rc_recall_by_product_target_id=119&field_rc_manufactured_in_value=&field_rc_date_value=&field_rc_date_value_1=&field_rc_hazards_target_id=All&field_rc_recall_by_product_target_id=119
Make an online report    https://www.saferproducts.gov/IncidentReporting
Resources referenced
Baby's Safe Sleep Crib Checklist    https://msdh.ms.gov/page/resources/19983.pdf ok
Creating a Healthy Home Checklist    https://msdh.ms.gov/page/resources/4353.pdf ok
A Sleep Routine for Your Baby    https://msdh.ms.gov/page/resources/21273.pdf ok

Find this page at https://msdh.ms.gov/page/41,30343,202.html

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