An Update on Safe Infant Sleep

In October 2016, the American Academy of Pediatrics published updated guidelines for safe infant sleep. Although there are no major changes to the recommendations, there are many small additions and clarifications important to the work of nurses. Topics addressed in this article include breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact, swaddling, room-sharing, bed-sharing, new products, pacifiers, loose bedding, and sitting devices. It is important for nurses and other clinicians to model recommended behaviors with regard to safe infant sleep and to have conversations with parents and caregivers about safe infant sleep throughout the hospital stay.