When your little bundle of joy arrives, you may be spending a lot of time thinking about how to get them to sleep successfully. You also want to make sure that your baby sleeps safely. Good sleep practices can help protect infants from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), so it is important for new parents to become familiar with some safety guidelines.
Here’s what you need to know about sleep safety so that you and your baby can both rest easy.
Safe Sleep Guidelines and Tips for Babies
This list of important guidelines by American Academy of Pediatrics has shown to prevent SIDS, and help your baby sleep safely.
- Safe Sleep Environment
When you get toys, cribs or bassinet for your little one, make sure they meet the safety guidelines and tests. Ensure that your baby sleeps on a firm crib mattress with a tight-fitting sheet. See that there are no gaps between the mattress and the crib. Your baby’s sleep space should be free of other blankets or accessories such as stuffed animals, comforters, blankets etc.
- Ensure that they sleep on their Back
Tummy sleeping puts infants at an increased risk of suffocation or overheating. Make sure you always put your baby to sleep on his back until his first birthday. Once your baby is able to roll onto his stomach on his own while sleeping, it is fine to let him keep sleeping that way. Back sleeping is safer and could reduce the chances of fever, stuffy nose and ear infections.
- Make sure they don’t overheat
Avoid covering up your little one with a blanket as it can put her at risk for suffocation or overheating. Instead, try to dress them lightly in something infant friendly, like a sleep sack or swaddle. Maintain an optimum room temperature and keep checking the nape of your baby’s neck. If it’s sweating, it means she’s too hot.
- Avoid naps on couch, chairs or car seats
Couches, armchairs and recliners can increase the risk for suffocation, even if your baby is sleeping in your arms. If you’re worried that you might fall asleep while feeding your baby, feed him in bed without any pillows or blankets around. If you do fall asleep, move your baby to a safer place as soon as you wake up. Do the same if your baby falls asleep in car seat, stroller, swing or infant sling.
- Try Pacifier or Breastfeeding
If you feel the need, try giving your baby a pacifier while he sleeps. It can help open up his airways and reduces the risk of suffocation. If you’re breastfeeding, try to keep it up. Research has shown that breastfeeding for two to four months reduces risk of SIDS by 40%.
Simple sleep safety steps can go a long way in ensuring your baby sleeps soundly and you have peace of mind. Talk to our experts at KIMS Cuddles to know more about swaddling and other safe sleep techniques for your baby.
*Information shared here is for general purpose Please take doctors’ advice before taking any decision.
