In 2008, 75% of undetermined deaths in children under one year of age in Ontario involved an unsafe sleep environment
The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a clutter-free crib. All that is needed is a safe crib with a mattress that fits correctly, covered by a fitted cotton crib sheet. There should be no toys, soft objects, pillows, positioners, quilts, comforters, duvets or bumper pads in a baby's crib. The best place to put your baby's crib is your room for the first six months. Be sure to keep it away from heaters or direct sunlight, vents, electrical outlets and blind cords.
Never put the baby to sleep on an adult bed, sofa, couch, futon, air mattress, pillow, fluffy blankets etc.
Never sleep with your baby on a sofa, couch or loveseat. Babies have become entrapped between a parent and the side of the couch and have suffocated. You should never share a sleep surface with your baby as there is a risk of a sleep accident. See Room-Sharing for more information.
Crib Safety The crib should meet the safety standards provided by the Cribs and Cradles Regulations from Health Canada. Sleep your baby on their back on a firm, flat mattress. It should fit the crib snugly with no gaps (you should not be able to fit more than two fingers between the mattress and the crib). Ideally, you should purchase a new mattress for each baby. If this is not possible, it is important that you check the mattress thoroughly to ensure it is clean and in good condition. Make sure there are no tears, rips or mould. The mattress should be firm. If you press your hand on it and the mattress depresses, it is too soft.
Bedding Cover the mattress with a single cotton fitted crib sheet. If you are using a blanket to cover baby, use only a lightweight blanket. Do not fold them in half, this is actually considered two blankets. CFSID recommends the use of a sleep sack or wearable blanket that eliminates the need for a blanket (which can pose a risk of suffocation). The Halo SleepSack was designed for safe sleep incorporating smaller arm and neck holes to prevent the baby from slipping inside and proper sizing to ensure the garment fits the baby correctly.
Never usequilts, duvets, comforters, wedges, bedding rolls, positioners or pillows. The crib must be clutter free.
You must make sure your baby's head remains uncovered while sleeping. If there head becomes covered, they have an increased risk of SIDS. In the hospital, a baby wears a hat after birth to help regulate body temperature. Once the baby is released from the hospital, they no longer need a hat indoors.