Help babies sleep safely

Heartbreakingly, infants die from injuries caused by soft bedding every year.

Cribs, playpens, bassinets and cradles that meet federal standards are built with safety in mind. But when pillows, quilts, comforters and/or padded crib bumpers are placed in these sleeping spaces, babies can suffocate.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission urges parents and caregivers to remember that “bare is best” when it comes to infants’ sleeping environments.

“Babies aren’t little adults,” CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric said. “They don’t need pillows and blankets to feel comfortable and safe when they sleep. The safest way for your baby to sleep is without blankets, pillows or other items surrounding them. A firm, flat surface in a crib, bassinet, play yard or bedside sleeper with just a fitted sheet is all they need.”

It’s also important to remember that nursery products are sometimes recalled because of safety problems. By visiting cpsc.gov, you can check to see if any of the baby products in your home (including secondhand items) have been recalled. You can also sign up for email alerts about baby-product recalls or download an app.

For more information on safe sleep for babies, go to the CPSC’s Safe Sleep and Crib Safety Education Center.