Is it safe? · by category
Infant safety
Safe sleep, crib bumpers, breathing monitors, car seat coats, sunscreen, and secondhand smoke: what the evidence says about keeping babies safe.
- Avoid
Are crib bumpers safe for babies?
Crib bumpers, padded or mesh, are not considered a safe sleep product: the Safe Sleep for Babies Act now bans their manufacture and sale.
- Evidence summary
Are baby breathing and oxygen monitors like Owlet worth it?
Baby breathing and oxygen monitors like Owlet track pulse rate and oxygen saturation, but the FDA says it knows of no evidence that any currently.
- Caution
Can baby wear a winter coat in a car seat?
A winter coat worn under a car seat harness is a safety risk: bulky padding compresses in a crash, leaving straps too loose to protect a child.
- Caution
Is a Hand-Me-Down Crib Safe to Use?
A hand-me-down crib can be used safely only after a real inspection: check for missing or broken hardware, slats no more than 2 3/8 inches apart.
- Evidence summary
How many layers should baby wear to sleep?
Dressing a baby for sleep comes down to one practical rule: keep the room at a temperature comfortable for a lightly clothed adult.
- Evidence summary
Can a baby sleep monitor make sleep safer?
Infant sleep monitors do not replace a safe sleep environment or reliably identify SIDS before it happens.
- Evidence summary
How to set up a safe sleep space for a newborn
A newborn safe sleep setup uses a separate infant sleep space with a firm, flat, level surface and only a fitted sheet.
- Safe
Pacifier timing and safer infant sleep
Pacifier use during sleep is linked to a lower risk of SIDS in pooled studies, with the biggest protective association when a pacifier is used for the.
- Evidence summary
Safe Sleep for Baby While Traveling: Hotels and Pack N Plays
Safe sleep for a baby while traveling follows the same rules as home: a firm, flat, level surface meant for infant sleep, baby alone on their back.
- Avoid
Secondhand Smoke After Baby Is Born: Newborn Risks
Secondhand smoke exposure after a baby is born raises the risk of SIDS, ear infections, asthma, and respiratory infections like pneumonia and bronchitis.
- Caution
Are white noise machines safe for babies?
Baby sound machines are fine at the right volume and distance, but running one too loud or too close to the crib approaches sound levels linked to.
- Caution
Is sunscreen safe for a baby under 6 months?
Sunscreen is not the first choice for babies younger than 6 months, since the FDA and AAP prefer shade, timing, and clothing for this age.
- Safe
How much tummy time does my baby need?
Tummy time is supervised, awake playtime on the stomach that most babies can start a day or two after birth.