It is important that all parents of newborns follow the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for safe sleep practices for babies– “the ABC’s of Sleep.”

These guidelines are designed to reduce the risk of SIDS and sleep-related suffocation.

Babies should sleep by themselves, in their own sleep space with no other people.

Keep pillows, blankets, toys, stuffed animals, and all other soft items out of the sleep space.

Place infants on their backs for sleep. They will eventually learn how to roll from back to tummy and tummy to back. Once they can confidently roll over both ways on their own, it’s OK to leave them like that, but always place them on their back initially.

Use a crib, bassinet, or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet.

The crib should not have bumpers of any kind, and nothing should be attached to the crib.

Babies can sleep in a swaddle until they’re 8 weeks old and a sleep sack with their arms out after that.

Avoid letting baby sleep on a couch or armchair, or in a device like a swing or bouncer.

Sleeping in a car seat is OK, but only while riding in the car.

Babies should be removed from the car seat and placed in a crib once the trip is done.

For more information on sleep safety tips, visit safekids.org.