Parentpedia

What Experts Say

In the good old days of the 1960s, '70s, and '80s, our parents put us to sleep on our stomachs, used old, rickety cribs that were covered in lead paint, and let us snooze with frilly blankets and more stuffed animals than you could shake a stick at.

These days, trying to keep up with the latest -- and endless -- safety recommendations can be exhausting. To make your life easier, we've covered the most common tips and advice here.

• The Crib
  Did you know that the majority of infant suffocations occur in a baby's crib or sleeping area? Scary as that sounds, you can help avoid these risks. For starters, check the slats on your baby's crib. They should be no further apart than 2 3/8 inches so your child's head can't get stuck between them. (In addition, if you're using a hand-me-down crib, check with the manufacturer to make sure it's never been recalled for a safety issue, such as containing lead paint or suddenly collapsing.) Make sure the mattress fits snugly against the crib rails, and use only tight-fitting sheets. Keep the crib free of blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals until your child is at least 1 year old. Finally, even though they look cute, don't use a bumper. A baby can get her face stuck in one and have difficulty breathing.
• The Temperature
  Don't overheat your baby. Keep the temperature in her room at about 68 to 70 degrees and don't cover her head. For the first four months, dress her in a diaper and onesie, then tightly swaddle her in a blanket. (Swaddling has been shown to soothe a baby and help her sleep better since it reminds her of the cocoon-like feel of the womb.) Afraid your little one might be too hot? "Feel her ears and neck -- if they're sweaty and warm to the touch, you may need to remove a layer of clothing or cool the room off with a fan," says Harvey Karp, M.D., author of "The Happiest Baby on the Block." When your baby gets older, use sleeper pajamas or a sleep sack that zips up the front to keep her warm, rather than resorting to a blanket.
• The Sleep Position
  You may hear this a million times: Always put your baby to bed on her back to reduce her risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
• The Mobile
  Remove any mobiles or hanging toys from the crib as soon as your baby can push up on her hands and knees or turns 5 months old, whichever comes first.
• The Room
  Keep the crib away from windows, blinds, or anything with strings that could loop around a baby's head. Similarly, keep the crib away from any radiators or heat sources.