Sleep-related deaths, including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), are the second leading cause of death for children in Franklin County under one year of age. Making sure where your child sleeps is safe can reduce the risk of sleep-related death.

Steps For Safe Sleep

• Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, even for naps.
• Place your baby on a firm sleep surface such as a safety-approved crib mattress--never  on a full-size mattress, waterbed, couch, pillow, or other soft surfaces.
• Don’t put soft objects, toys, or loose bedding in your baby’s sleep area.
• No smoking around your baby.
• Keep your baby’s sleep area close to, but separate from, where you and others sleep. You can share a room with your baby, but not a bed. And if you breastfeed in bed, move the baby to his or her own bed when it is time to sleep.
• Use a clean, dry pacifier when putting your baby down to sleep.
• Make sure your baby doesn’t get too hot. Dress your baby in light sleep clothing.

More Information

National Institute of Child and Human Development http://www.nichd.nih.gov/sids/

Sudden Infant Death Network of Ohio http://www.sidsohio.org/

CJ Foundation for SIDS http://www.cjsids.com/

First Candle http://www.firstcandle.org