The death of a child is always devastating, but it’s even more so when that sweet little face has never seen the light of day. 3,500 babies die each year in America due to unsafe sleep environments and some cause entrapment or suffocation among other things – all while they’re sleeping! It doesn’t have to be this way though; there are steps you can take for your infant’s safety that will ensure their uninterrupted slumbering rights (and life).
If you’re a parent, it’s important to know the best ways of creating an environment where your baby can sleep safely. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has some great advice for parents on how they should go about doing this. This information will also help keep track-sheets safe during naps and bedtime hours so that no one gets hurt in their caregiving responsibilities.
Note: If you’re looking for the best way to care for your baby, there are many things that can help. One of these is placing them sleep on their stomach if they have any medical conditions which may require it such as asthma or allergies/asthma flare-ups during nursery time due to an infection at hospital birth without enough ventilation equipment available when coming home from the delivery suite
As well-loved by nature parents often find themselves juggling work schedules while trying simultaneously juggle childcare duties.
Learn What You Can Do:
- To make sure your baby is getting the best sleep possible.
- The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that babies up to 1-year-old sleep on their back during naps and at night. If your baby has rolled from his/her stomach onto one side, he can still be placed in this position as long she is able to turn over into a reverse lying-rear-facing crunching motion with enough force for them not to get stuck like that forever.
- If your baby falls asleep in any type of carrier, be sure they are moved immediately to a firm mattress or mat.
- There are many babies who cry themselves to sleep, but if you swaddle your little one while he’s sleeping it may help calm him down. To do this properly be sure that the blanket is wrapped snugly around him and place his weight on its side so that there isn’t too much pressure; never let any part of an infant body touch face-down or prone (on stomach).
- Make sure your baby is sleeping on a firm surface to ensure they get the best rest.
- You should always check the safety standards of any product that you buy. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has amazing resources to help keep your baby safe and sound at all times, so make sure they’re up-to-par before using them.
- Make sure you cover your mattress with a tight-fitting sheet. This will help keep any bed bugs from getting onto it and spreading their disease.
- It is important to avoid putting blankets or pillows between your mattress and fitted sheet. This will allow you enough space for ventilation so that bacteria doesn’t accumulate inside of it, which can lead not only to unpleasant odors but also transmit disease.
- The dangers of putting your baby to sleep on certain surfaces are well documented. Make sure you never put them in bed with waterbeds, cushions, or sheepskin.
- Never leave your child unattended in their crib. Soft objects like bedding and pillows can cause suffocation, while hard ones such as castle walls may trap them between its bars or even smother you when they turn around at night unnoticed.
- It’s important to know the risks of baby products. Many parents think they are safe after 12 months, but research shows that pillows and other objects can cause problems for healthy babies in cribs.
- The best place for your baby to sleep is in the same room as you, but not next door.
- Room-sharing with your child decreases their risk of SIDS by up to 50%. In some cases, room sharing can even be dangerous! That’s why it is important for at least 6 months but preferably 1 year or more.
- In order for you and your baby to be as comfortable together in bed, it is important that the crib or bassinet stay nearby. You can watch over them while they’re sleeping by having their little head right next door.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics cannot make a recommendation for or against the use of bedside sleepers and in-bed slippers until more studies are done.
- Babies should never sleep in the same bed as their parents because they are at risk for SIDS, suffocation, or strangulation. If a baby does wake up during nighttime and sees that both adults were already asleep before him then it’s possible to get tangled between sheets/blankets which can lead to serious injuries such as bruises on your child’s neck.
- Breastfeeding for the recommended number of hours is one way to reduce your risk of dying from SIDS.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that you breastfeed your baby for about 6 months and then add solid foods. If both parent(s) would like to continue breastfeeding past 12mth, they should do so as desired by the child.
- It’s important to go along with your baby on each visit, so they can get vaccinated and receive other medical care.
- Recent evidence suggests that having certain immunizations may reduce the risk of SIDS.
- To reduce the risk of SIDS, keep your baby away from smokers and places where people smoke.
- It’s important to keep your car and home smoke-free, so if you’re a smoker try quitting. However, until then make sure that when around babies or other people in general; don’t take up smoking anywhere near them because even though they may be outside with us – it still could affect their health.
- To reduce your baby’s risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SID), always make sure he or she stays cool and does not get too hot during sleep time.
- Studies have shown that keeping the room where your baby sleeps at a comfortable temperature helps them get better sleep.
- Keep your baby warm by wearing only one extra layer than you would for yourself. If she’s sweating or has a hot chest, then it may be too much clothing and could make her feel uncomfortable in the sun.
- You can always rely on baby wearables to keep your little one warm. These include sleeping sacks, jackets, and other garments that cover the entire body for maximum coziness in even cold weather.
- Offer your baby a pacifier at nap time and bedtime to help reduce the risk of SIDS.
- If you want to offer your child a pacifier, make sure that they are fully nursing and have been eating well for at least 3-4 weeks. This will help them get used to the process of weaning from breastfeeding before giving their first EVER suck on anything other than mommy’s breastmilk.
- It’s perfectly natural if your baby doesn’t want to use a pacifier. You can try offering them again, but some babies just don’t like the idea of using one and will refuse no matter what you do or how much time it takes for mommy.
- Don’t worry about putting the pacifier back in after your baby falls asleep.
- Pacifiers that attach to infant clothing can pose a safety risk.
- Pacifiers should never be attached to objects that may pose a suffocation or choking risk. This includes stuffed toys, other items, and even clothing.
- Taking care to follow the instructions on your home cardiorespiratory monitor could lead you back into an uncomfortable position.
- Home cardiorespiratory monitors can help baby breathe easier and reduce the risk of SIDS, but they’re not replacement for a crib or car seat.
- It is important to be cautious when buying products that claim SIDS reduction.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics has stated that wedges, positioners, and specialized mattresses are not effective at reducing the risk for SIDS.
A Guide For Expectant Moms:
- Make sure you schedule all your prenatal doctor visits.
- You might think that smoking and drinking alcohol is safe during pregnancy, but it can lead to a lot of problems for you or your baby. The best way to avoid this? Don’t smoke cigarettes or drink any type beverage – even water-in moderation.
- By breastfeeding your new baby, you are giving them an incredible gift that will help guide their first few months in life. To ensure the best possible outcome for this precious time together and make sure they get all of these benefits from breastmilk – provide skin-to scalp contact by holding or touching with covered breasts right after birth (or as soon afterwards). This can be beneficial to bottle fed newborns too.
Tips For Sleepy Parents:
- When you are feeding your baby, it is important that they are in a safe environment. Keep anything soft like pillows and blankets away from them so if something happens while sleeping or during the night then there won’t be any obstacles between mother nature’s perfect plan for this little one.
- Hold your baby securely while you lean against a wall or the couch, making sure not to put them in danger.
Tummy Time:
Give your baby plenty of tummy time when she is awake. This will help strengthen neck muscles and prevent flat spots on the head! Stay with her during all play sessions, making sure that you are both fully awake for every moment in order to ensure safety first-and foremost.
Source: Reduce the Risk of SIDS & Suffocation https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/Preventing-SIDS.aspx Adapted from Safe Sleep and Your Baby: How Parents Can Reduce the Risk of SIDS and Suffocation (Copyright © 2011 American Academy of Pediatrics, Updated 10/2016)
The information on this site is not a substitute for medical care and advice from your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that he or she recommends based on individual facts, circumstances or personal preference you have as an adult who is now taking responsibility of caring for another life stage alongside their own childhoods!
