Children's Hospital Colorado

Infant Sleep Safety

Our experts treat respiratory and sleep disorders from the common to the complex, helping children and families breathe easier.

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While we don't know everything about sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), we're learning more all the time. Following the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) safe sleep guidelines can help reduce infants' risk of SIDS and accidental suffocation during sleep. 

Make sure everyone who takes care of your baby knows the safest way for them to sleep with this brochure from the Colorado Infant Safe Sleep Partnership (.pdf). A Spanish version (.pdf) is also available.

You should always put a baby to sleep:

  • On their back
  • In their own crib or bassinet
  • On a firm sleep surface
  • With no loose bedding
  • In a sleep sack or onesie
  • In the room with caregivers

You should never put a baby to sleep:

  • On their stomach or side
  • With anyone else (even caregivers!)
  • In an adult bed
  • On a couch
  • Under a blanket
  • On a pillow
  • With stuffed animals
  • In a crib with bumper pads
  • Near tobacco smoke

Get more information from CO4Kids.

Read the AAP's research for more infant sleep safety details.