Mississippi State Dept. of Health offers tips to protect your baby while sleeping

This month is National Safe Sleep and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month.

The State Department of Health is cautioning parents about the practices that contribute to these avoidable deaths and recommend steps to take to ensure babies are safe.

While putting babies to sleep on their stomach was once a common practice, we know now that babies have a much higher risk of dying when sleeping that way.

When putting babies to sleep alone, always make sure they are on their backs, even for naps.

Use a firm crib mattress covered by a tight fitted sheet. Don’t put pillows, blankets, bumpers, or stuffed animals inside their cribs.

Due to the danger of accidental suffocation, always avoid letting your baby sleep on a couch, chair, or adult bed with anyone.

Also, always make sure that your infant doesn’t get too hot during sleep.

For a full list of tips, click here.