As you flip through prenatal books and baby store catalogs, you are bombarded with pictures of babies serenely sleeping in a cozy crib. This is the perfect image all parents try to create for their own new babies, but it is important to make sure when we get our babies ready for sleep that we are following a few simple tips to make sure that each sleep is a safe sleep.
• Always place your baby on their back to sleep. Whether taking a short nap or sleeping through the night, the safest way for babies to sleep is on their back.
• Keep all soft bedding, toys, blankets, and objects out of your baby’s crib. Infants can suffocate through even a partial covering of the nose or mouth. Even products advertised to help keep children safe such as sleep positioners and bumper pads pose a risk to a sleeping infant. Nothing needs to be in a crib except the baby.
• Do not overheat your baby. Babies look so small and vulnerable, there is a tendency to over bundle them to try and keep them warm and cozy. Overheating a baby is extremely dangerous. The ideal room temperature for a sleeping infant is 65-73 degrees, so if the room is warm enough for you, it is likely warm enough for the baby. If you are worried about warmth, try using a sleep sack or a wearable blanket rather than a traditional blanket.
• Do not allow smoking around your baby. Second hand smoke exposes children to nicotine and has been shown to increase a child’s chances of dying from SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) by up to three times.
• Place your baby on a firm sleep surface, such as on a safety-approved* crib mattress, covered by a fitted sheet. Never place your baby to sleep on pillows, quilts, sheepskins, or other soft surfaces.
Following these tips can help reduce your baby’s risk of a sleep related death. Please remember that every sleep counts. If you are interested in more information on safe sleeping practices, or would like to schedule a free parent training please contact Bona Vista’s Child Care Solutions 1-800-493-3231.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Back to Sleep!
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