Extra Information For Families

Breastfeeding and Safe Sleep

Breastfeeding has many health benefits for both mom and baby, including:

  • Impact on infant health: reduced risk of SUID, infections, diseases, childhood cancer, diabetes, etc.
  • Impact on maternal health: reduced risk of breast/ovarian cancer, heart disease, diabetes, postpartum depression, etc.

But there is an increased risk of unsafe sleep practices while breastfeeding a baby during those hard, tiring hours

Feeding and caring for infants throughout the night is especially difficult for caregivers. Staying focused on something positive will help distract you from the fact that you’re really tired. Here are a few strategies to help parents stay awake during those difficult hours:

  • Sit in an uncomfortable, non-plush chair.
  • Alert a support person to check-in on caregiver when up and feeding.
  • Set an alarm for 10-15 minutes in case caregiver falls asleep.
  • Scroll through social media.
  • Reach out to a friend who might also be up feeding a little one.
  • Connect with an online support group.

Do not use pacifiers with strings and toys attached while infant is sleeping.

Pacifiers may interfere with breastfeeding; therefore, a pacifier should be introduced once breastfeeding is well established. The AAP defines this as having sufficient milk supply; consistent, comfortable, and effective latch for milk transfer; and appropriate infant weight gain as defined by established normative growth curves. The time required to establish breastfeeding is variable.

It is recommended that infants be fed with human milk exclusively for at least 6 months, with continuation of human milk feeding for 2 years or longer as mutually desired by parent and infant, in alignment with recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics.


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Vaccinations and SUID

Vaccination is one of the best ways parents can protect their children from 14 diseases before they reach the age of two.

Vaccines work with the body's natural defenses to help babies and children safely develop immunity to some serious diseases, and can reduce the risk of sudden unexplained infant death (SUID).

Akron Children's Hospital and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend vaccinations for infants' health and immunity to diseases. The link (below) provides a chart for when infants and children should be receiving their vaccines.

Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule by Age | Vaccines & Immunizations | CDC

Here is a link to information for Akron Children's Pediatrics offices for families to become established, and receive these vaccination services.


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Take the Quiz

TRUE or FALSE: Practicing safe sleep, breastfeeding, and not smoking help decrease the risk of SIDS




Who should caregivers educate on the ABCs of safe sleep?







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SAFE SLEEP ACADEMY