Frequently Asked Questions

Questions and Answers about Safe Infant Sleep for the First 12 Months of Life

This information is based on the Updated Safe Sleep Guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics published in Pediatrics in July, 2022. 
Discuss these guidelines with your infant's health care provider.
What is SIDS?
How old are babies who die from SIDS?
What are the safe sleep recommendations?
Will my baby choke if placed on his or her back?
What if my baby rolls over to his (her) stomach during sleep? Do I need to put my baby in the back sleep position if this happens?
I saw a product that said it could keep my baby in the right position during sleep. Can I use it to prevent SIDS?
Will my baby get flat spots on the back of the head from sleeping on the back?
Besides back to sleep, what else makes up a safe sleep environment?
Without blankets, how will the baby stay warm on a cold night?
Is smoking dangerous during pregnancy?
Does breastfeeding reduce the risk of SIDS?
What about pacifiers?
This information is based on the Updated Safe Sleep Guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics published in Pediatrics in July, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2022-057990