Safe sleeping for baby

The ABCs of safe sleep

Creating a safe sleeping environment

• Never have pillows, blankets, bumper pads, stuffed animals, or loose bedding in the crib.
• Practice room sharing with your baby for at least 6 months to one year. Studies have shown that when babies share a room with their parents during this time, it can help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
• Only bring your baby to your bed with no pillows, sheets or blankets near baby when feeding or comforting.
• Never sleep with your baby.
• Do not fall asleep in a chair or recliner while holding your baby. Place your baby in his or her crib when you are tired.
• Consider using a clean pacifier when placing your baby to sleep (if breastfed, use once breastfeeding is well established). However, the pacifier should not be attached to anything during sleep time.
• Avoid using products that claim to prevent SUID. Always talk to your healthcare provider for their recommendations.
• Routine sleep is not recommended in any form of infant seat carrier, strollers, swings or infant slings.
• Reduce the risk of flat spots developing on baby’s head by providing “tummy time” while awake and avoiding long periods in car seats, carriers or bouncers.
• Once your baby shows signs of attempting to roll, swaddling is no longer safe.
• Prevent your baby from overheating at night by dressing your baby in a light sleeper and keeping the room temperature between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Do not smoke around your baby. This includes second-hand smoke from clothes, furniture, etc.

Sentara Health Plans benefits and resources

Are you a Sentara Health Plans member? The following resources are available to help you with your parenting journey.

• Maternal and child health classes: These classes through Sentara Health Plans Medicaid offer Medicaid members the advice and tools needed to help you navigate the ups and downs of parenthood.
• Partners in Pregnancy: Sentara Health Plans Partners in Pregnancy Program provides guidance, support and education to all expectant moms enrolled in a Sentara Health Plans employer group plan, Individual & Family Health Plan, or Sentara Medicare.
• Welcoming Baby: Welcoming Baby is an incentive-based program through Sentara Health Plans Medicaid that provides guidance, support, and education to Medicaid members who are pregnant and who have just given birth.
• Safe Sleep Academy: Welcoming Baby offers free online training to help make sure infants younger than one year of age sleep safely.