Pregnancy can be an exciting—and anxious—nine months. You may wonder, “Am I doing everything I can to prepare for this baby?”

Chances are you’re doing everything you can to keep you and your little one healthy. Although, most pregnancies and birth experiences go smoothly, if complications come up, our medical team and neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are equipped to handle even the littlest of patients.

What parents need to know to create a safe sleep environment:

• Always place a baby on their back to sleep, for naps at night, to reduce the risk of SUID.
• Use a firm sleep surface, covered by a fitted sheet; a crib, bassinet, portable crib or play yard that conforms to the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission is recommended.
• The baby should not sleep in an adult bed, on a couch or on a chair alone, with a parent, or with anyone else.
• Keep the baby’s sleep area in the same room where the parent(s) sleep (for the infant’s first year). Room sharing not bed sharing.
• Always place the baby in a safety-approved crib, bassinet or portable crib for sleep.
• Sitting devices like bouncy seats, swings, infant carriers or strollers should not be used for routine sleep.
• Keep soft objects such as pillows and blankets, toys and bumpers out of the baby’s sleep area. Wedges and positioners should not be used.
• Do not smoke during pregnancy or allow smoking around your baby.
• Do not let your baby get too hot during sleep.
• Breastfeed your baby.
• Give your baby a dry pacifier that is not attached to a string for naps and at night to reduce the risk of SUIDS after breastfeeding is established.
• Supervised skin-to-skin is recommended for all mothers and infants immediately following birth, regardless of feeding or delivery, (as soon as mother is medically stable, awake and able to respond to her newborn) and to continue for at least an hour. Once mother starts to get sleepy, baby is returned to the bassinet.