CDF is committed to exceptional care for children beginning at birth. Infant sleep safety is an essential component of high-quality newborn care as it directly impacts well-being and health outcomes. Safe sleep practices reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related incidents, and educating parents and caregivers about safe sleep guidelines promotes a safe sleep environment that contributes to healthy infant development and growth.

The unexpected, unexplained sudden death of an infant under one year of age, SIDS is the leading cause of death in children between one month and one year of age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 3,500 infants die from SIDS each year in the United States. The majority of SIDS deaths (90%) occur before a child is six months old, with most occurring between one and four months. In most cases, infants are believed to be healthy immediately before death. To reduce the risk of SIDS, The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of wearable blankets rather than loose blankets, which can cover a newborn’s face and interfere with breathing.