Keep Sleep Space Empty

Keep the Sleep Space Empty

Baby should be placed in an empty crib, bassinet, or play-yard. The only things that are safe to be in a baby’s sleep environment are a tight-fitted sheet and a pacifier without any attachments.

The crib should not contain any soft or loose items such as blankets, pillows, or loose sheets that can create a suffocation or strangulation hazard. Additionally, the sleep space should not be used for storage of baby care items like diapers, wipes, or extra clothing.

Do not add to baby’s sleep environment

A baby’s sleep surface is supposed to be firm and flat, some caregivers may worry that their baby isn’t comfortable because of the firm mattress or pad. However, babies are comfortable in their safe sleeping environment. It is not safe to add anything to the surface to satisfy the caregiver’s sense of comfort. Do NOT put mattress toppers, pillows, positioners, wedges, and other items placed into the crib with the intention of keeping the baby in a safe position or “comfortable.” These items cause more harm than good and greatly increase the risk of suffocation and entrapment.

Keep baby’s sleep space away from strangulation hazards

Just as important as what is inside the sleep environment, is what is within arm’s reach. Keep the sleeping environment’s rails clutter free and keep baby away from windows. Do not hang blankets, clothing, or other soft items over the sides of the bassinet, play yard, or crib. Mobiles, monitors, and other items that attach to the sides of the crib, especially things with cords or string, are not recommended as they can be pulled into the sleep space and become a strangulation hazard.

The crib should be kept at least one foot away from windows, and any curtains or blind cords should be out of reach and tied up to prevent the baby from grabbing them.

Bumper pads should not be used in a baby’s sleep environment because of their increased risk of death. Bumper pads are padded material or mesh material that lines the inside of the crib. These pads were initially intended to prevent the baby from becoming trapped between the bars of the crib.

In May 2022, the Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2021 was signed into law, banning bumper pads as a hazardous product because they increase the risk of suffocation, entrapment, and strangulation.

While this act bans the manufacture, sale, and distribution of bumper pads in stores, they still may be available second-hand or homemade. Additionally, the act does not ban mesh crib liners, but they are still not recommended for sleep due to their continued risk of entrapment and strangulation.

Having padded or mesh bumpers in the crib is no longer necessary, because the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s standards now require crib bars to be no further apart than 2 3/8 inches. An easy test to see if a crib meets this standard is to take a regular-sized can of soda and try to fit it between the bars. If it passes through the slat, your crib does not meet the current safety standards.