Safe Sleep

DCS Safe Sleep Campaign

The Safe Sleep campaign involves educating families about safe sleep practices and providing them with resources for cribs if needed. DCS offers free baby essentials to families involved with the department.

Did you know? Every 5 days, a baby in Arizona suffocates while sleeping.

Is your baby sleeping safely?

  • Share a room, not a bed
  • Lay baby down to sleep in a crib or bassinet
  • Don't sleep with your baby
  • Don't let your baby sleep in a crowded crib
  • Place babies on their back every time, at night and for naps
  • Give babies space to breathe - no pillows, bumpers, blankets or toys

Don't wake up to a tragedy

Join the effort to help prevent tragic deaths caused by accidental suffocation by pledging to use the infant safe sleep best practices. Download a copy of the Safe Sleep Checklist today.

Download Safe Sleep Flyer (English)

Download Safe Sleep Flyer (Spanish)

Tips for Grandparents

  • Do not sleep with the baby, this includes falling asleep on beds, chairs, couches and chairs.
  • Be mindful of your own tiredness before sitting with the infant in your arms.
  • Always place baby in a safe sleep environment when the infant is sleeping.
  • The safest sleep environment for the baby is ALONE on their BACK in a CRIB, bassinette or flat clean empty surface.
  • The baby’s sleep area should be free of any items such as blankets pillows and stuffed animals.
  • Consider providing baby with a pacifiers as this reduces the risk of SIDS
  • Refrain from smoking around pregnant women or in the infants sleeping environment.
  • Enjoy tummy time when you and the baby are awake and you are able to watch.

Tips for Babysitters and Caregivers

  • Nap or sleep alone when caring for an infant.
  • Babies should be laid down in a safe sleep environment every time the baby is napping or sleeping.
    • This means babies should be placed ALONE on their BACK in a clean empty CRIB, bassinet or pack n play.
    • The sleep area should be free of any items including and such as, blankets, pillows and stuffed animals.
  • Baby should sleep in a smoke free environment, no smoking in the home or around the baby.

Tips for talking to other parents and caregivers

  • Anyone can be a safe sleep advocate!
  • Start with a simple question: where does your baby sleep?
  • Acknowledge and respect the family's culture.
  • Let them share their ideas/opinions.
  • Praise the good parenting choices they have made.
  • Physically demonstrate the ABCs of safe sleep.
  • Suggest other ways to bond with the baby - feeding, rocking, or singing.
  • If mom is breastfeeding in bed, encourage her to move baby to a crib once they're asleep.
  • Share the facts about safe sleep: baby sleeps safest alone, on their back, and in a crib.
  • Praise and encourage breastfeeding, it benefits both mom and baby. If mom is breastfeeding in bed, encourage her to have a plan to move the baby once they’re asleep.
  • Lastly, keep the conversation going. It may take several conversations to affect behavior, so don't give up!

Request a Safe Sleep poster!

Need a Safe Sleep poster for the office?
Contact the Office of Prevention.

Contact Us

Want to learn more? Check out these other resources.

 

 

‹ Back to the Office of Prevention page

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