Place your baby on his back to sleep
Since the launch of Canada’s Back to Sleep campaign in 1999, the rate of SIDS has dropped by over 50 percent. Once your baby can flip over (around five months) continue to place him on his back, but don’t worry about flipping him over if he turns.

Choose the right crib
Although a vintage crib might seem perfect in your nursery, safety regulations have evolved, so be sure to choose a fixed- gate crib, manufactured after 1986, with a snug-fitting mattress. Avoid drop-side cribs altogether: Over six million drop-side cribs have been recalled in North America in the past few years, and officials are looking to institute a worldwide ban of cribs with movable side rails because they can detach, causing a space for the baby to get stuck in.

Ensure good airflow
Experts aren’t sure why babies stop breathing in the middle of the night, but it may have something to do with the pooling of carbon dioxide in front of an infant’s face. A study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found that using a fan to improve airflow may help reduce the risk of SIDS. To keep oxygen-rich air flowing, avoid soft mattresses, pillows, blankets and any toys in the crib. And never let anyone smoke around your child.

Keep baby cool and comfortable
Overheating is another SIDS risk factor, so keep your home comfortably cool. Swaddling is great provided you use a light, breathable blanket. If it’s summertime, you may want to avoid a sleeper and just swaddle your baby in his diaper.

When your child outgrows being swaddled, around two to three months, try a sleep sack. “Choose one that fits snugly around baby’s chest so there is no danger of him wriggling down inside it and his face being covered,” says Helen Sands, owner of Hush A Baby Sleep Consulting in Vancouver. Sleep sacks come in varying weights, so choose the appropriate one for the current season.

Try co-sleeping
Most experts don’t recommend co-sleeping, but if it works for your family, play it safe by using a firm mattress and avoiding extras such as pillows and comforters. And make sure it’s just mom and dad sleeping with baby. “No siblings should sleep with infants under 10 months, or even at all, for that matter,” advises Sands.