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Parents need to provide care and protection to their newborns even while they sleep as infants may accidentally fall out of bed or assume a position that obstructs their breathing.
Moreover, sudden infant death syndrome poses a significant risk, particularly during nighttime sleep. Therefore, scientists suggest that parents pay extra attention to their infant’s safety during this time. To help ensure your baby’s safety, consider these tips for setting up their sleeping area.
Select a secure spot for the baby’s crib
To reduce the risk of SIDS, parents should maintain a temperature of +16-20°C in the baby’s bedroom, with an optimum temperature of +18°C. High air temperatures are known risk factors for SIDS. Additionally, it is essential to position the crib away from any heating or cooling sources, and there should be no objects near the crib that the baby could access by reaching between the bars.
Arrange a separate sleeping area for your kid
Sleeping in the same bed as an adult is hazardous for babies, as close contact with the parent’s body can lead to overheating. Furthermore, parents can unintentionally roll over their babies during sleep, which can be fatal. In fact, according to data from 10 US states from 2011-2014, 51 children under the age of one died due to accidental suffocation or strangulation in an adult bed.
It is crucial to note that a blanket roller should not be placed between an adult and a child as the child may bury their nose in it, resulting in suffocation.
To declutter your bed, eliminate any non-essential items.
It is crucial to keep an infant’s crib free from unnecessary accessories. Ideally, only a tightly fitted sheet and a mattress should be present in the crib. Parents must ensure that the mattress fits the bed’s exact dimensions and does not slip, as the baby may suffocate if they bury themselves in any gaps. Additionally, the mattress should not be placed at an angle, as this may cause the baby to slide down and struggle to breathe.
Using blankets, toys, pillows, and crib bumpers increases the risk of choking and SIDS. Shockingly, between 1985 and 2012, 77 babies in the United States died from bumper-related strangulation. Moreover, up to 24% of SIDS cases in the United States have been linked to pillows.
The bedside should not be removed
During sleep, it is essential to enclose the child within the four sides of the bed. Even at a young age, a child may learn to roll over, even at night, which can result in a tragic fall. Bumpers are a useful tool to prevent falls, and they should extend to at least the height of the child’s armpits. If the crib bottom is adjustable, parents should lower it as the baby grows to prevent the baby from climbing out of the crib and potentially falling.
Let the baby sleep only on its back
It is crucial to note that until a child can roll over, it is dangerous for them to sleep on their stomach. This position increases the risk of overheating and hypoxia, as the baby inhales the same air that they exhale, which is high in carbon dioxide and low in oxygen.
Additionally, placing the baby on their side is unwise as they may roll onto their stomach. Babies who frequently regurgitate should sleep on their backs as SIDS is still a higher risk than sleeping on their stomach or side, regardless of whether the baby has gastroesophageal reflux.
Leaving your child in a car seat to sleep is not recommended.
It is essential to never leave a child to sleep in a car seat or infant car seat when not in a vehicle. When outside the vehicle, the car seat may become loose and tip over, posing a risk of injury and suffocation. Therefore, it is crucial to fasten the baby in the car seat according to instructions and ensure that the seatbelts do not slip, as this may cause the baby to slide into a position that restricts their ability to breathe properly.
Similarly, in a baby chaise longue, the baby may assume a position that prevents them from breathing correctly. As such, it is best not to leave the baby unattended in such devices and instead put them to bed if they fall asleep there.
Avoid covering the baby’s face while they are in the sling
It is crucial to monitor the baby’s head position when using a sling to ensure their safety. Ensure that nothing is covering the baby’s face, the chin is pressed against the parent’s chest, and nothing is squeezing their chest.
It is also important to note that the fabric of the sling and the parent’s body adds additional warmth to the baby. Therefore, it is necessary to choose clothing that takes this into account, and one layer less should be worn.
Only use dummies that are considered safe
It is important to note that sleeping with a pacifier does not increase the risk of SIDS. However, the design of the pacifier can potentially harm the child. To ensure the baby’s safety, there should be holes in the plastic circle around the pacifier so that the baby can breathe through their mouth. Additionally, the pacifier should not cover the baby’s nose, and if it is attached to a strap, the strap should be short to prevent it from wrapping around the child’s neck.
Make a wise selection when choosing your cocoon
To ensure the safety of your child when using a cocoon, it is important to select a model with a firm surface that prevents the baby from pressing their nose into it and obstructing their air supply. It is also recommended to choose a cocoon with straps or pockets to secure the baby in place and prevent them from rolling over. However, it is important to restrict access to the cocoon room to older children and pets, as the cocoon is easy to touch and move. Additionally, never use a sleep positioner for your child as they are designed for side sleeping, which increases the risk of SIDS compared to back sleeping.
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