Safe Sleeping Checklist for Your Baby
____The mattress on the baby's bed is firm.
____No soft blankets, thick quilts, comforters, or sheepskins are under or over the baby.
____No pillows or stuffed toys are near the baby.
____The baby is put on his back to sleep. You may need to wrap a newborn in a blanket with hands centered over his chest to keep him on his back.
____The baby is not put on his stomach to sleep unless the doctor directly tells you this is best.
If you must share a bed with your baby
____Sofas and waterbeds are not used.
____The mattress is firm and tight fitting to the headboard.
____There are no pillows or blankets near the baby's face or under the baby.
____There is not space between the bed and wall where the baby could roll off or become trapped.
Adults who are not the parents and other children are not sleeping near the baby.
____No one in the bed is a smoker.
____No one in the bed has been drinking or using drugs. No one is taking medicines such as allergy, sleep or cold medicines that could cause sleeping deeply or accidentally rolling on the baby. Babies have suffocated because an intoxicated adult rolled over on them while sleeping.
____For more safety, put your baby to sleep in a bed of her own next to your bed or in your room.
Also check for:
____Clean air - Smoking is not allowed around the baby or in his room.
____Breastfeeding - Breastfeeding is the best way to give your baby a healthy start. It can be hard at times - ask for help from a nurse or other health care professional.
____Temperature - The baby is not dressed in too many clothes or is covered by too many blankets. Baby likes the same temperature that you do.
____Tummy Time - The baby spends some time on her tummy when awake so the arm and shoulder muscles become strong. A close watch is kept during tummy time.
Source: Panhandle Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Project.