October is Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month, and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is reminding parents and caregivers of three steps parents and caregivers can take to create a safe sleep environment for infants in their care. It’s as simple as ABC – infants should always be placed to sleep ALONE, on their BACKS and in a safe CRIB. Unsafe sleep practices are a leading cause of death for infants across the United States, with 126 Illinois infants losing their lives before their first birthday in 2024. These tragic, and often preventable, deaths frequently stemmed from accidental suffocation due to infants being placed to sleep somewhere other than a crib or bassinet; sharing an adult bed; or sleeping with soft bedding or other items in the crib. DCFS and the American Academy of Pediatrics, including:
• Placing an infant to sleep ALONE – not with adults, other children or pets.
• Putting an infant on their BACK to sleep.
• Using a safety-approved CRIB, bassinet or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet. Nothing should be in the baby’s crib; remove pillows, bumper pads, blankets and toys.
• Never placing an infant to sleep in an adult bed, on a couch or chair, in an infant swing or in a car seat (except while riding in a car).
• Room sharing is fine, bed sharing can be deadly.
For more safe sleep information and resources, visit the Sleep Safety page on the DCFS website.
