The ABCs of safe sleep are guidelines recommended to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related infant deaths. The ABCs stand for:
• Alone: Babies should sleep alone in their own crib, bassinet, or play yard, not sharing a bed with parents, siblings, or other people.
• Back: Babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep, both at night and during naps.
• Crib: Babies should sleep in a crib with a firm mattress and fitted sheet, free from soft bedding, toys, pillows, and bumpers.
Origin and Development
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other health organizations have advocated for these guidelines. They are based on research and recommendations to reduce the risk of SIDS, which is the unexplained death of an infant younger than one year, often during sleep.