For the first year of life, these are some steps you can take to lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other infant deaths that may happen at sleep time:
Place your baby on their back to sleep for EVERY sleep
Be smoke free, before and after birth
This includes cannabis smoke and vaping products.
Breastfeed your baby
Breastfeeding for at least 2 months lowers risk of SIDS by about half. The longer you breastfeed, the more protection your baby will have.
If you choose to bring your baby to bed to breastfeed, remember to place your baby back in their crib, cradle or bassinet to sleep after feeding.
Make your baby’s sleep space as safe as possible.
This includes: a firm, flat surface with a tightly fitted sheet, no gaps between mattress and sides, no loose, soft bedding, bumper pads, pillows or toys
The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a crib, cradle or bassinet that meets current Canadian safety regulations.
Room share with your baby for the first six months.
Room sharing means placing your baby in their own safe sleep space, in a crib, cradle or bassinet, in your room, next to your bed.
Understand the risks of bed sharing before making a decision to bed share with your baby.
Bed sharing increases the risk of SIDS and suffocation.
Reference: Safe Sleep for Your Baby, 2021
For more information visit Safe Sleep for Your Baby provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).