Injury Prevention Centre's

Prescription 4 Safety

Suffocation

  • Always place your baby to sleep on their back in a safe, firm crib with a fitted sheet. Avoid using pillows, blankets, bumper pads, or stuffed toys, as these can lead to suffocation (Parachute, 2024).
  • Do not allow your baby to sleep in the same bed as adults or siblings. Co-sleeping can lead to suffocation from blankets, pillows, or even other people in the bed (Parachute, 2024).
  • Do not let your baby sleep in a car seat, high chair, stroller, bouncer, or baby swing as it can place the baby at risk of suffocation. Sleeping in a seated position can cause your baby’s head to fall forward, making it difficult for them to breathe (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2021).

Resources

The Injury Prevention Centre is part of the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta and is dedicated to helping Albertans and our governments make safe choices the easy choices.

The Injury Prevention Centre receives core business funding from the Ministry of Primary and Preventive Health Services and is part of the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta. Provision of funding by Primary and Preventive Health Services does not signify that this project represents the policies or views of Primary and Preventive Health Services.

© Copyright 2026 - Injury Prevention Centre, University of Alberta.

TOP