In a report released yesterday today called, “SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Expansion of Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment,” the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) aims to translate the ‘best practices’ for baby bed-time into a comprehensive guide for day-to-day infant care.

The AAP has added three important suggestions to their report:

- “Breastfeeding is recommended and is associated with a reduced risk of SIDS.” Clearly that’s Mom’s choice.

- “Infants should be immunized. Evidence suggests that immunization reduces the risk of SIDS by 50 percent.” Does Mom know this? Gently tell her if you don’t think she does.

- “Bumper pads should not be used in cribs. There is no evidence that bumper pads prevent injuries, and there is a potential risk of suffocation, strangulation or entrapment.”  So that adorable giraffe-patterned crib bumper pad you bought for your niece or nephew may not be the best idea, Auntie.

SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, has declined drastically since 1992, when health care professionals began suggesting babies be put to bed lying on their backs. This, and other easy practices, will make you a very Savvy Bed-time Auntie. Some of these practices include:

- Always place your niece or nephew on his or her back for every sleep time.

- Always use a firm sleep surface. Car seats and other sitting devices are not recommended for routine sleep.

- The baby should sleep in the same room as you, but not in the same bed (room-sharing without bed-sharing).

- Keep soft objects or loose bedding out of the crib. This includes pillows, blankets, and bumper pads.

- Wedges and positioners should not be used.

- Offer a pacifier at nap time and bedtime.

- Avoid covering the infant’s head or overheating.

- Do not use home monitors or commercial devices marketed to reduce the risk of SIDS.

- Supervised, awake tummy time is recommended daily to facilitate development and minimize the occurrence of positional plagiocephaly (flat heads).

Be the best bed-time guardian you can be for your nieces and nephews, Auntie, and try implementing some of these sleep-time practices when they stay for extended visits or you go to watch them at their home!