As compared with older children and adults, newborn infants have a longer sleep duration. Sleep-wake patterns become more diurnal and sleep times gradually decrease from infancy through adolescence.

Caregivers of newborn babies and young infants should have good knowledge about practices for safe infant sleep. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), also previously called crib or cot death, is the leading cause of infant mortality between one month and one year of age. More than 95 percent of SIDS cases are associated with one or more risk factors, and in many cases, the risk factors are modifiable (usually sleeping position, sleep environment). Various aspects of the sleep environment, including the sleep surface, sleepwear, bedding, room temperature, and whether or not the bed or room is shared with parents, appear to affect the risk of SIDS.

Supine sleep position:
All infants, including infants with a history of prematurity, should be placed to sleep on their backs (supine) for every sleep, even if they are able to roll from their backs to the prone position. If swaddling is used, it should be discontinued as soon as the infant is old enough to attempt to roll over. It is particularly important to avoid non-supine sleep for swaddled infants. Once the infant can roll from supine to prone and from prone to supine, the infant can be allowed to remain in the assumed sleep position.

Firm sleep surface:
Infants should always be placed to sleep in a crib or bassinet on a firm surface that is certified for use as infant bedding. The following sleep surfaces may be dangerous and should be AVOIDED:

• Any bed designed for older children and adults, including those with bed rails
• Air mattress or air bed, even when "firm" (or fully inflated)
• Soft sleep surfaces, including sofas, polystyrene-filled cushions, and sheepskin bedding

Room-sharing without bed-sharing:
Infants should NOT sleep in or share the parents' bed or sleep with them on a sofa, recliner, armchair, or other type of cushioned chair. The lowest risk environment, sleeping in the parents' room but not in the parents' bed, is encouraged for at least six months, using a crib, bassinet, or other sleep surface designed for infants.

Avoid soft objects and bumper pads in the bed:
Soft bedding accessories such as pillows, stuffed toys, sheepskins and blankets should be kept out of the crib, bassinet or cradle. The infant's head should remain uncovered.

Avoid overheating:
Overheating should be avoided; the infant should be lightly clothed for sleep, and the bedroom temperature should be comfortable for a lightly clothed adult. If the infant is dressed in a sleeper, a blanket should not be necessary. Infants should not sleep next to a radiator or heater or in direct sunshine.

Expert advice: Safe Sleep Practices for Newborns

Various aspects of the sleep environment, including the sleep surface, sleepwear, bedding, room temperature, and whether or not the bed or room is shared with parents, appear to affect the risk of SIDS.

Supine sleep position:

All infants, including infants with a history of prematurity, should be placed to sleep on their backs (supine) for every sleep, even if they are able to roll from their backs to the prone position. If swaddling is used, it should be discontinued as soon as the infant is old enough to attempt to roll over. It is particularly important to avoid non-supine sleep for swaddled infants. Once the infant can roll from supine to prone and from prone to supine, the infant can be allowed to remain in the assumed sleep position.

Firm sleep surface:

Infants should always be placed to sleep in a crib or bassinet on a firm surface that is certified for use as infant bedding. The following sleep surfaces may be dangerous and should be AVOIDED:

• Any bed designed for older children and adults, including those with bed rails
• Air mattress or air bed, even when "firm" (or fully inflated)
• Soft sleep surfaces, including sofas, polystyrene-filled cushions, and sheepskin bedding

Room-sharing without bed-sharing:

Infants should NOT sleep in or share the parents' bed or sleep with them on a sofa, recliner, armchair, or other type of cushioned chair. The lowest risk environment, sleeping in the parents' room but not in the parents' bed, is encouraged for at least six months, using a crib, bassinet, or other sleep surface designed for infants.

Avoid soft objects and bumper pads in the bed:

Soft bedding accessories such as pillows, stuffed toys, sheepskins, and blankets should be kept out of the crib, bassinet, or cradle. The infant's head should remain uncovered.

Avoid overheating:

Overheating should be avoided; the infant should be lightly clothed for sleep, and the bedroom temperature should be comfortable for a lightly clothed adult. If the infant is dressed in a sleeper, a blanket should not be necessary. Infants should not sleep next to a radiator or heater or in direct sunshine.