Creating a Safe Sleep Environment for Your Newborn
Bringing your newborn home is a joyful milestone—but with it comes new responsibilities and questions, especially around sleep safety. At Lompoc Valley Medical Center (LVMC), we’re here to help you start strong.
As a Silver Certified Safe Sleep Hospital through the Cribs for Kids® National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program, we are proud to lead the way in educating and supporting families in safe sleep practices that can help prevent sleep-related infant deaths.
Why Safe Sleep is So Important
Every year, thousands of babies in the U.S. die from sleep-related causes, including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation, and positional asphyxia. Many of these deaths are preventable.
The good news is that simple, consistent steps can make a big difference. Safe sleep practices are proven to reduce risk, and learning them early helps you build safe habits from day one.
The ABCs of Safe Sleep
The American Academy of Pediatrics and Cribs for Kids recommend the ABCs of infant sleep:
- A – Alone: Your baby should always sleep alone in their own crib, bassinet, or portable play yard. Room-sharing is encouraged, but bed-sharing is not safe.
- B – Back: Always place your baby on their back to sleep—for naps and nighttime. This is the safest position to reduce the risk of SIDS.
- C – Crib: Babies should sleep in a safety-approved crib or bassinet with a firm mattress and a fitted sheet. The crib should be free from pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, and bumpers.
What Does a Safe Sleep Setup Look Like?
A safe sleep environment includes:
- A flat, firm mattress
- A fitted sheet only—no blankets or soft items
- A wearable sleep sack or Halo® swaddle
- Baby placed on their back, every time
- No positioning devices or wedges
- Comfortable room temperature (68–72°F)
LVMC provides each family with a Halo® swaddle upon discharge and education on how to use it properly. This gives families the tools they need to continue safe sleep practices at home.
Our Commitment to Safe Sleep at LVMC
With our Silver Certification, LVMC has achieved one of the highest national standards for hospital-based infant safe sleep practices. This means we:
- Train all staff on the latest safe sleep guidelines
- Model safe sleep practices in every LDRP suite
- Provide educational materials to every family
- Supply a take-home Halo® swaddle for each baby
- Offer one-on-one instruction on sleep positioning and swaddling
- Work to reduce health disparities by making safe sleep education accessible in English and Spanish
🖱️ Learn more about safe sleep from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Common Safe Sleep Questions
“Can my baby sleep in their car seat?”
Only during travel. Car seats, swings, and bouncers are not safe for unsupervised sleep.
“What if my baby rolls over at night?”
Once your baby can roll from back to tummy and tummy to back on their own, you can leave them in that position—but always place them on their back to start.
“Is swaddling safe?”
Yes—when done correctly. Stop swaddling when your baby shows signs of rolling over, and use wearable sleep products like the Halo® swaddle provided at LVMC.
Consistency is Key
Creating a safe sleep environment isn’t a one-time action—it’s a habit. Practice the ABCs every time your baby sleeps, and share this knowledge with caregivers, grandparents, and babysitters. At LVMC, we’re proud to help you build those habits from your baby’s first day.
Questions about postpartum safety or newborn care? Call 805‑737‑3300
Ask your nurse about safe sleep during your postpartum stay
Look for your complimentary Halo® swaddle at discharge
.jpg)