Crib Safety Guidelines and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Author: Heidi Holvoet, PhD
Medical fact-check: Dr Leah Alexander, M.D., F.A.A.P.

To sleep well, a baby must feel protected and secure. Crib safety is also crucial in the battle against sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This includes safe bedding and a safe sleeping position.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Being safe not only helps your little one sleep but also prevents discomfort and injuries (from falling out of bed, getting stuck, ...). Moreover, a safe sleep environment is crucial to reduce the risk of SIDS, also called crib death or cot death.

Sudden infant death syndrome is the cruel taking away of a young baby, who dies suddenly and unexplainedly.

A good start to help with prevention is knowing what SIDS is and who's at risk and what the official SIDS prevention guidelines are.

The crib safety and sleeping position guidelines are equally important to protect your child. Remember not to use any wedges or positioner, it is not safe.

If you or anyone near you smokes, please do read the article about the connection between Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and smoking. It will guide you in protecting your little one.

Bedroom choices

When you set up the nursery, bedroom, or whichever sleeping place you have arranged, you will make choices for where and how.

Your little one can sleep in a crib in her own room or start out in your room. In your room she may have her own bed, a co-sleeper (side-car bed next to you) or join the family bed and cosleep in which cases it is of course crucial to follow all cosleeping safety guidelines diligently.

The room and the bedding may have bright baby colors and themes, matching shades and designs or simple practical solutions.

Your choice will be personal and depend on your preference and situation. But which ever you choose, you will naturally always make it cosy, comfortable and safe. This will ensure you have the best environment for your baby to sleep well.

To help you select a safe and comfortable mattress you may find our mattress guide helpful.

It's not difficult to arrange a secure sleeping environment for your child. Just always follow the basic security guidelines above and remember to trust your own instincts too.

Combined, you will be able to create a safe and ideal place for your dearest one.