DCFS reminds caregivers of the ABCs of safe sleep for infants
•October 15, 2025•
October is Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month, and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is reminding parents and caregivers of three steps they can take to create a safe sleep environment for infants in their care. It’s as simple as ABC - infants should always be placed to sleep ALONE, on their BACKS, and in a safe CRIB.
Unsafe sleep practices are a leading cause of death for infants across the United States, with 126 Illinois infants losing their lives before their first birthday in 2024. These tragic, and often preventable, deaths frequently stemmed from accidental suffocation due to infants being placed to sleep somewhere other than a crib or bassinet; sharing an adult bed; or sleeping with soft bedding or other items in the crib.