In the weeks before a baby is born, soon-to-be parents are full of questions about what is best for their new arrival. Everyone has an opinion and wants to offer well-meaning advice to new parents. But it’s important to wade through the old wives’ tales and kindly suggestions so that families have the facts on what is safest for their infant.

1. Back to sleep. Babies should always be placed on their backs when they are sleeping. This practice has greatly reduced the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, and other sleep related deaths across the U.S. since the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) began recommending it as the only safe sleep position during the ‘90s.

The back sleeping position should be used for both overnight sleep and for brief naps. Side sleeping isn’t considered safe either because the position makes it easier for infants to roll over to their tummies and have their breathing obstructed.

2.Non-cushiony cribs. Families should also know that cribs or bassinets should be in good condition and free of all items—that means no blankets, pillows, toys, bumper pads or fluffy padding. For grandparents, especially, this can be hard to abide by. After all, 20-plus years ago, parents laid their babies to sleep in the softest, cuddly spaces imaginable. But we now know that these situations can lead to suffocation while sleeping. That’s why parents are advised that babies should sleep on firm surfaces without any kind of loose bedding in which they could become entangled.

So if Grandma wants to purchase those adorable cushiony bumpers for the crib, tell her no and stand your ground. Protecting the baby is much more important than creating a nursery worthy of a Southern Living photo feature! Remember that you can decorate the nursery, just not the crib.

3. Mattress matters. If you have questions about safety standards of baby mattresses, the best place to seek guidance is the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website at CPSC.gov. Remember that the only bedding you need in the first months of the child’s life is a fitted sheet tightly secured to the mattress.

4. Cozy clothing. Blankets and quilts can be a danger to the little one’s breathing, so if you’re worried about Baby getting cold, clothe him in a sleeper outfit or try using zip-up sleep sacks that either swaddle the child’s arms or keep them free. Be careful to ensure the little one isn’t too warm, though. This, too, can lead to breathing problems, and subsequent death, during sleep time.

5. Solo sleeping. Parents must also remember to create a safe place for the child to sleep that isn’t in the bed with Mom and Dad. In the Emergency Department at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, we see a fair number of babies who are brought to us after a large adult rolled over on them in middle of the night or the infant rolled into the adult and could not re-position their head to breathe.

The best place for a newborn to sleep is in a separate crib or bassinette close to the parents’ bed. This will give the infant a safe, contained place to doze while also promoting breastfeeding and bonding since his mother will be just an arm’s reach away.

6. Shared knowledge. Nearly 20 percent of SIDS cases occur when the child is in the care of someone who isn’t the parent, so it’s essential to discuss these safety concerns with anyone else who might be taking care of your child. Grandparents, day care workers and babysitters alike should all be aware of safe infant sleep habits. Teach them the ABCs of safe sleep: alone, on their back, in a crib.

For additional information on the AAP guidelines, visit www.HealthyChildren.org.

Sam Smith, MD, is surgeon-in-chief at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and a professor of Surgery at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He writes the blog “Happy & Healthy” for ACH each week at ARChildrens.org.

Baby Proof

Make sure your home is ready for a fast-growing tot—we’ve made a safety list, now you check it twice!

7. If your crib isn’t brand-new, check with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to make sure that the item or any parts have not been recalled. You can also check that no recalls have been issued on your baby’s toys, equipment and clothing. Visit www.CPSC.gov for news on all important recalls.

8. Keep the crib away from window treatments with cords or baby monitor cords to avoid strangulation.

9. Make sure crib bars are no more than 2 3/8 inches apart so that baby’s head and neck cannot become entrapped in gaps.

10. Make sure all areas of the house have a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector with new, functional batteries.

11. Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent burns.

12. Put away all matches, lighters and knives, and keep out of reach of little ones.

13. Keep medicines, chemicals and cleaning products locked away.

14. Secure large cabinets, bookshelves and other pieces of furniture to the wall or floor with anchors.

15. Older siblings’ toys should be kept away from younger babies; small objects, magnets and balloons can be especially dangerous if swallowed.

16. Use safety gates to block stairways or other adult-only areas.

17. Cover electrical outlets that are less than three feet from the floor.

18. Keep the bathroom door closed at all times, and secure toilet seats with lid locks to prevent accidental drowning.

Tips from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Arkansas Children’s Hospital.