Safe Sleep – The ABCs

A – Alone

Baby sleeps alone in their own crib or bassinet — no bed-sharing.

Your baby should sleep alone, not sharing a bed with adults, siblings, or pets. The safest setup is room-sharing without bed-sharing. This means that baby has their own crib or bassinet beside your bed.

B – Back

Always place baby on their back for naps and nighttime sleep.

Always place infants on their backs for every sleep, both naps and nighttime. This position significantly reduces risks positional asphyxiation.

C – Crib

Baby sleeps in a crib with a firm mattress and a tight-fitting sheet.

Use only a crib, bassinet, or portable crib that meets current safety standards, with a firm mattress and tight-fitting sheet. Keep the sleep space bare. This means no pillows, bumpers, blankets, toys, or loose bedding and sheets.

Quick Tips

  • No blankets, bumpers, or stuffed animals in the crib.
  • Every sleep counts…naps and nighttime.
  • Supervise tummy time during the day to build strength.
  • Crib in your room, not your bed. This is ideal for the first 12 months.
  • Avoid overheating! Dress baby in light sleepwear.
  • Share the message. All of baby’s caregivers should know the ABCs.
  • Avoid exposing baby to secondhand smoke.
  • Use a pacifier at nap and bedtime (once breastfeeding is established).
  • Only one baby per crib. No co-bedding, even for twins!