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According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the safest way for an infant to sleep is on his or her back. This practice greatly reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS. SIDS is the unexpected and unexplained death of an infant under one year of age, and it is a devastating and life-changing experience for parents to endure. Therefore, it is essential for all parents of infants to be aware of the safest sleep position for their babies, and to follow the guidelines set forth by the professional community on this issue.

Not only is it important to place an infant on his or her back each and every time the child sleeps, but you also must ensure that the crib is free of any additional and unnecessary items. For example, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development suggests that you remove any soft items from the crib, such as stuffed animals, pillows, and heavy blankets. Additionally, make sure that the mattress is as firm as possible. They further recommend purchasing a safety-approved crib mattresses, and then covering it with a fitted sheet. It is essential that you follow through with these suggestions in order to be certain that there are no objects in the crib that will increase the risk of your infant suffocating as the result of a soft or heavy object covering his or her face.

Many parents prefer to keep their infant's crib in their bedroom for as long as possible. In fact, this is the best practice in terms of infant safety, and it greatly increases a parent's ability to keep a close eye on the infant. The time will come when this will no longer be necessary, but during infancy, it is beneficial in many ways to have the baby sleep as close to you as possible. However, do keep in mind that it is not safe to allow the baby to sleep with you in bed, in a reclining chair, or on the couch. It is far too easy for a parent to accidentally roll over on an infant while sleeping with him or her in a bed, and there is a significant risk of the child being smothered as a result.

Also, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests the following sleep-related tips in order to further reduce the risk of SIDS:

~ Ensure that your infant is not dressed too warmly for sleep. It is natural for parents to worry that their infants are chilly, but if the temperature of a room is comfortable for you, it is highly likely that the baby is comfortable as well.

~ Refrain from smoking around your infant. Secondhand smoke has been

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