Have your baby sleep in your room

Ideally, the baby should sleep in the same room as the parents for the first year of life — or at least for the first six months — to decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This can also make feeding easier.

Your baby should sleep alone in his or her own crib, bassinette or other surface designed for infants. Adult beds aren't safe for infants. A baby can become trapped and suffocate between the headboard slats, the space between the mattress and the bed frame, or the space between the mattress and the wall. A baby can also suffocate if a sleeping parent accidentally rolls over and covers the baby's nose and mouth.