Safe Sleep Practices

A safe sleep area can help reduce a baby's risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related deaths, such as from accidental suffocation. 

Providers must ensure the following safe sleep practices are being followed at all times:

• Only one infant shall be placed in a crib.
• All infants shall be placed on their backs for sleeping. (For exceptions, licensed centers, see Bulletin 137 §1909.B.1; Family Child Care Providers, see Bulletin 139 §309.26.b.i.; In-Home Child Care Providers see §311.26.b.i.) 
• Infants shall not be placed in positioning devices unless the site has written authorization from a physician to use a positioning device.
• “Back To Sleep” signs shall be posted in the room where infants sleep. 
• Bibs shall not be worn by any child while asleep.
• Nothing shall be placed over the head or face of an infant while placed for sleep.
• A safety-approved crib must be available for each infant.

Licensed centers should contact a licensing consultant with any questions. Home-based providers should contact providercertification@la.gov with any questions.