You can do several things to make sleeping safe for your baby. She may have slept on her tummy in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). At home, she needs to sleep on her back. Just remember “back to sleep.”

This position reduces your baby's risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), also known as “crib death.”

Tips for Safe Sleeping

• Use a firm, tight-fitting mattress in your baby's crib or bassinet.
• Do not lay the baby on a soft blanket, pillow or pad.
• It it's cool, dress you baby in a sleeper to keep warm. Do not use a blanket.
• Before you put your baby in the crib, remove all pillows, stuffed animals or other objects.

Tummy Time

Let your baby spend time on her stomach when she's awake. Watch her closely. This “tummy time” is important for the baby's muscle development.

September 2007