Safe sleep essentials (ABC)

The AAP's ABC rule covers every sleep, day or night: Alone, on the Back, in a Crib (or bassinet or approved play yard). No blankets, bumpers, wedges, positioners, pillows, or stuffed animals in the sleep space for the first year. A sleep sack keeps baby warm without loose fabric near the face. Use a firm, flat mattress with a fitted sheet — nothing soft, plush, or angled. Sofas, armchairs, and adult beds are unsafe for infant sleep and dramatically increase suffocation risk. Room temperature between 68–72°F (20–22°C) is ideal; overheating is a known SIDS factor. Room-share (not bed-share) for the first six months. Room-sharing roughly halves the risk of SIDS. Keep the bassinet within arm's reach so night feeds don't require crossing the house.