Safe Sleep: Essential Tips for Peaceful and Secure Sleep

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Ensuring your baby’s safety during sleep is a top priority for any parent. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides a set of guidelines designed to create a safe sleep environment and reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other safe sleep-related dangers. Let’s explore these guidelines and the reasons behind them.

Nursing for Better Sleep and Health

Nursing is not only beneficial for your baby’s nutrition but is also associated with a reduced risk of SIDS. Studies have shown that nursing, whether exclusive or partial, can lower the chances of SIDS by up to 50%. human milk provides essential nutrients and antibodies that help protect your baby from infections and illnesses, contributing to safer sleep.

Ditch the Bumper Pads

While bumper pads might look cute and protective, they pose significant risks. There is no evidence that bumper pads prevent injuries. Instead, they increase the risk of suffocation, strangulation, or entrapment. For your baby’s safety, it’s best to keep the crib free of bumper pads; even the “breathable” ones.

Back to Sleep

Always place your baby on their back for every sleep time, whether it’s a nap or nighttime sleep. This position significantly reduces the risk of SIDS. Once your baby can roll over independently, they can sleep in whatever position they find comfortable. However, you should always start them on their back.

Firm Sleep Surface is a Must

Using a firm sleep surface is crucial for your baby’s safety. Car seats and other sitting/resting devices, such as Doc-a-Tots, Rock and Plays (which have been recalled due to infant injuries and deaths), swings and others are not recommended for routine sleep. These devices can create airway obstruction and increase the risk of suffocation because of their angled position. Ensure your baby sleeps on a firm, flat mattress with a fitted sheet.

Room-Sharing Without Bed-Sharing

It’s recommended that your baby sleep in the same room as you, but not in the same bed. Room-sharing without bed-sharing can reduce the risk of SIDS by up to 50%. Having your baby close by in a separate sleep space, such as a crib or bassinet, allows for easy monitoring while maintaining a safe sleep environment. However, we do need to acknowledge that this is not always ideal for a brand new parent but a qualified newborn care specialist can and will room-share with your baby, helping with this needed protection and allowing you to sleep! 

Keep the Crib Clear

To ensure your baby’s safety, keep the crib free of soft objects and loose bedding. This includes pillows, blankets, and bumper pads. The crib should contain only a mattress, a fitted sheet, and a correctly used swaddle blanket or sleep sack. Avoid using wedges and positioners unless specifically advised by a medical professional for a diagnosed medical condition.

Regular Prenatal Care

Pregnant women should receive regular prenatal care from a qualified healthcare provider. Proper prenatal care is essential for the health and safety of both parent and baby, reducing the risk of complications that could affect the baby’s sleep and overall well-being.

Avoid Smoking

Avoid smoking during pregnancy and after your baby is born. Exposure to smoke increases the risk of SIDS and other health issues. Creating a smoke-free environment is crucial for your baby’s health and safety.

Pacifier Use

Offering a pacifier at naptime and bedtime can reduce the risk of SIDS. If your baby is nursing, many experts recommend waiting until nursing is well-established before introducing a pacifier, usually around 3-4 weeks.  Other experts will say it doesn’t matter.  Whatever you are most comfortable with is the right decision for your family. 

Control the Temperature

Maintain a comfortable room temperature for your baby, ideally between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid covering your baby’s head or overheating. Dress your baby in light clothing appropriate for the room temperature to keep them comfortable without the risk of overheating.

Avoid Home Monitors

Home monitors and commercial devices marketed to reduce the risk of SIDS are not recommended as preventive devices. There is no evidence that these devices reduce SIDS risk, and they can provide a false sense of security. However, we must acknowledge that they can help some parents feel better; discuss your options with your healthcare provider. 

Ensure Vaccinations

The AAP suggests that your baby receives all recommended vaccinations. Immunizations can protect against various diseases and infections that may increase the risk of SIDS.

Daily Tummy Time

Incorporate supervised, awake tummy time into your baby’s daily routine. Tummy time helps with your baby’s development and minimizes the risk of positional plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome). Start with a few minutes a day and gradually increase the duration as your baby grows stronger.

Conclusion

By following these AAP recommended guidelines, you can create a safe sleep environment for your baby, reducing the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related hazards. Your baby’s safety and well-being are paramount, and these practices can help ensure they sleep soundly and securely.

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Tonya Sakowicz
After a successful career as a newborn care specialist and owning a nanny agency in Seattle, Tonya turned her focus towards professionalizing, empowering and developing the newborn care specialist community. Together with her husband Todd, she founded Newborn Care Solutions in 2015. Todd, her biggest cheerleader, saw the potential in the vision and its early success, and left a career in real estate and business consulting to provide strategy, the technological know-how and business acumen to support Tonya’s science-backed, educationally-focused organization. Newborn Care Solutions has trained over 5k newborn care specialists, won multiple awards, and several press interviews and mentions. Tonya has received accolades from DEMA, INA, business coaching programs and more.