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Back to Sleep, Every Time! Plus, Four More Tips for Safe Sleep.

Date: 10/05/26

Every baby deserves a safe place to sleep. October is Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month, a time to remember that safe sleep starts with a firm, flat surface, a clear crib, and placing baby on their back. These habits can help lower the risk of injuries and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Back to Sleep, Every Time. Always place your baby on their back for naps and at bedtime until they are at least a year old. This action is one of the most effective ways to lower SIDS risk.1 Make sure everyone who cares for your baby knows and follows this rule, too. An easy way for caregivers to remember the basics of safe sleep is A-B-C. Babies should always sleep Alone, on their Back, in a Crib.

Four more safe sleep practices to follow

Back to Sleep is just the start! Following these simple tips can help your little one rest safely and give you peace of mind.

1. Use a safe sleep space

Your baby should sleep in a crib, bassinet, or play yard (pack & play) with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet. Keep it free of soft, plushy items. These include pillows, blankets, stuffed animals and bumper pads. These things look cute and feel cozy, but they can get pushed against your baby’s face, making it harder for them to breathe.

2. Share a room, not a bed

Room sharing makes it easier to feed, comfort and watch your baby at night. But they should have their own separate sleep space close to your bed. Make sure there are no curtains, hanging wires or cords nearby. These could fall into the crib and strangle your baby. If you have twins or other multiples, put each baby in their own sleep space.

3. Dress baby for comfort

Dress your baby in light sleep clothing. Avoid over-bundling. If your baby feels sweaty or hot, remove a layer of clothing. A wearable blanket or sleep sack can help keep babies warm without loose blankets.

4. Keep up with well-child visits

Regular checkups help your baby stay healthy and give you a chance to ask questions about sleep, feeding, and growth. If you have concerns about your baby’s sleep habits, talk with your child’s doctor. Louisiana Healthcare Connections members can choose any pediatrician or family doctor in our network. Well-baby and sick visits are covered at no cost to our members.  

We Can Help You Make Your Home Safe for Sleep

HealthHub: Louisiana Healthcare Connections offers free access to HealthHub, an online health and wellness library powered by WebMD Ignite. Their Maternity & Newborn section has these short videos where you can see safe sleep in action!

Safe-Sleep Crib Kits: Louisiana Healthcare Connections wants every newborn member to come home to a safe space for sleep. We partner with Cribs for Kids to send free safe-sleep kits to our pregnant members. Each kit comes with a cribette, a fitted sheet and helpful Give Your Baby Space resources. In most cases, your kit arrives before your baby so you can get the cribette set up and ready before the big day. Your baby can sleep in their cribette until they reach 30 pounds or 35 inches long.

Pregnant? Let us know!

If you are pregnant, tell us by completing a Notification of Pregnancy form. Please include your due date. It helps us know when to send your crib. Fill out your pregnancy form online in your secure member portal account. Or you can do it over the phone by calling Member Services at 1-866-595-8133. They can help Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

1. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development - NICHD