By now, most of you have heard about the tragedies and subsequent recalls from Fisher-Price. In light of these recent events, we think it is a good idea for everyone to review the rules of safe sleep for Infants.
Here are the general do’s and dont’s of safe sleep for newborns:
- Until their first birthday, babies should be put to sleep on their backs – both for naps and for nighttime sleep.
Babies who are put to sleep on their backs have a much lower rate of SIDS. If your baby falls asleep in a swing or a carrier, move her to a firm sleep surface on her back as soon as possible. Note: as babies get older, some will roll to their stomachs on their own and this is generally OK.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends sharing a room –but not the same sleep surface - as baby for the first six months.
By sharing a room with your baby, you decrease the risk of SIDS by 50%.
- A baby’s Sleep surface should have NO extra soft bedding such as bumpers or pillows. The sleep surface should be firm and flat; it should not indent when baby is lying on top.
Swaddling a newborn is OK, but be sure that the baby is swaddled while lying on that firm surface.
Here are some more helpful tips:
- Breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life is shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. We know not everyone can make this happen. If you are not breastfeeding, there is evidence that pacifier use can also be helpful in decreasing odds of SIDS occurring.
- Make sure your baby gets all her vaccinations. These shots help protect her from serious childhood diseases and may help prevent SIDS. All children should be vaccinated for their own health and so they don’t spread infections to others.
- Don’t smoke and keep your baby away from other smokers and secondhand smoke (smoke from other people’s cigarettes, cigars and pipes). Babies who live with smokers are at increased risk of SIDS. Keep your home and your car smoke-free.
- Don’t drink alcohol or use harmful drugs during pregnancy. Babies of mothers who do these things are at increased risk of SIDS.
- Go to all your prenatal care checkups during pregnancy. Babies of mothers who don’t get regular prenatal care are at increased risk of SIDS.
At Arm’s Reach, we have been making safe sleep solutions for mom & baby for over two decades. We know that being a new parent is sometimes overwhelming. There are so many great resources out there about SIDS and safe infant sleep - here are just a few listed below. As always, if you have any questions, reach out to your pediatrician or family doctor. Chances are, they have had the same question many times before, and are more than happy to answer it one more time.
Sleep Better, Sleep Closer, Sleep Safer™
LINKS:
American Academy Pediatrics – Safe Sleep Recommendations
CDC – Safe Sleep Recommendations
(small image credit - Healthy Babies Baltimore)