A nurse is educating new parents on preventing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Which of the following instructions should the nurse prioritize to effectively reduce the infant's risk?

Placing an infant on their back to sleep in a crib free of pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals is the single most important evidence-based instruction for reducing SIDS risk. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the supine sleep position because it keeps the airway open and reduces the chance of suffocation or rebreathing exhaled carbon dioxide. A bare, firm sleep surface eliminates soft objects that could obstruct breathing. Allowing the infant to sleep in the parent's bed increases the risk of suffocation and overlay injuries; while bed-sharing may promote bonding, it is explicitly discouraged for SIDS prevention. Bumper pads are no longer recommended because they pose entrapment and suffocation hazards and have not been shown to prevent injury. Placing the infant on their stomach significantly increases SIDS risk because the prone position reduces arousal responses and may cause airway obstruction. The mnemonic 'Back to Sleep' has been a cornerstone of public health messaging since the 1990s and has contributed to a substantial decline in SIDS rates. Parents should also be taught about a firm, flat sleep surface, room-sharing without bed-sharing, avoiding overheating, and offering a pacifier at sleep time as additional protective measures.