Safe Sleep for Infants

Sudden Unexplained Infant Deaths (SUID) are rare, but they do occur in Clackamas County and are devastating to families. Learn about safe sleep strategies to help reduce the risk of SUID for your infants.

Learn about the ABCs of safe sleep in this video created in partnership with Clackamas Fire.

Follow these safe sleep tips:  

• Put baby to sleep in a safety-approved crib, bassinet or portable crib
• Baby’s sleep area should have a firm sleep surface/mattress, a tight-fitting sheet and nothing else
• Baby should sleep in the same room as the parent or caregiver
• Baby should sleep on their back
• Do not overheat or overdress  
• Breastfeed your baby if possible (data shows that breastfeeding reduces the risk of SUID)
• At 3-4 weeks, offer a pacifier if breastfeeding is going well
• Make your home and car smoke-free
• The risk for SUID goes up significantly if parents or caregivers bedshare while using substances, including alcohol and marijuana

Resources

Got Oregon Health Plan? (OHP/Medicaid) You may be eligible to receive safe sleep supplies for your baby. Ask your doctor to complete the supplies request form.

If you are pregnant and don't have OHP coverage or need help finding a prenatal care provider email aph@clackamas.us or call 503-742-5358.