An infant sleep environment should be designed to reduce the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID). Babies should sleep on a firm, flat mattress covered only by a fitted sheet when sleeping in their crib or bassinet.
Keep blankets, pillows, bumper pads and stuffed animals out of the crib or sleep space of your infant as these may increase their risk of suffocation.
Place your baby on their back to sleep.
As far as baby sleeping goes, one of the key points to keep in mind is that babies should always sleep on their back. This position has been recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics since 1992 as the safest for your newborn to sleep in and may help decrease SIDS risk (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Babies sleeping on their back are less likely to choke than those sleeping on their side or stomach due to airway anatomy and their natural gag reflex; those suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can also safely sleep on their back safely as this will not affect airway pressure levels; babies sleeping on their back will also not affect airway pressure in any way either!
Staying organized while caring for a newborn baby can help them sleep safely, contributing to optimal development and health. A clean crib, bassinet or play yard should always be free from pillows, blankets, toys and anything that could obstruct airflow – including items such as pillows, blankets, unfitted sheets and bumper pads which could cause suffocation or overheating during sleep – in addition to keeping their temperature consistent while they rest – vital factors when it comes to sleeping comfortably and remaining at an optimal temperature while sleeping is crucial for healthy development of health and development!
Your newborn may take time to adjust to sleeping on their back, especially if they were used to being held or rocked to sleep. But with consistency in this routine, they will eventually discover it is the most effective way for them to rest their heads at night.
Ideally, in a small home, consider keeping the bassinet or crib of your newborn in your room for at least the first six to 12 months so as to make feeding and comforting easier. However, do not bring them into bed with you except in their own crib, cradle, bassinet that meets Health Canada safety standards for sleep or nap times.
Don’t bed share.
Newborns should sleep alone in a crib or bassinet that conforms to Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards, or, if bed sharing must occur, safely by placing your infant next to you on an infant sleeping surface that is separate from your bed, and free from pillows, blankets, toys and stuffed animals that could cover their heads or faces, overheat them or create air pockets where air could escape and cause breathing issues.
Bedsharing increases your baby’s risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome (SUID) threefold, as well as increasing their likelihood of suffocation, entrapment or strangulation when one parent rolls over onto them or when they become trapped between the mattress and walls or bedframe. Furthermore, smoking or drinking alcohol during sleep increases this danger dramatically.
Reenacting how quickly a newborn can become trapped between mom’s arm or father’s side can show just how easily their newborn becomes suffocated in this position during deep sleep, when in supine position or when someone shifts weight onto them – such a feat could suffocate a newborn in seconds!
Room sharing may be the safer option, with your baby sleeping in their crib or bassinet close by in a crib or bassinet nearby until they turn one year old. According to CDC recommendations, babies should remain in their parent’s room until their first birthday; products like nests or pods that attach securely onto bed edges may help keep your infant close without placing them at risk are also an option.
Room share.
Some families choose to room share their newborn babies for the first few months of life, placing their crib, bassinet, portable crib or play yard in both rooms so parents can easily reach and comfort the infant when feeding, comforting or monitoring at night. Room sharing can reduce SIDS risks in infancy as well as make feeding and soothing easier for mom or dad.
Room sharing should not be confused with bed-sharing which increases SIDS risk significantly. A recent study published in Pediatrics (the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics) highlighted this year-long recommendation because infants room shared beyond 4-9 months experienced significantly less nighttime slumber and more night wakings; four times more likely to be pulled into their parents bed during sleep hours, and twice as likely to have pillows, blankets or other materials close by which are all known to increase SIDS risks.
As a sleep consultant and mother, I understand that every family is unique in its needs and circumstances; therefore, the best advice I can offer is to follow safe sleeping guidelines, consult your physician, and use your own judgment regarding how long to room share. Furthermore, self-care and reducing stress may help you more accurately respond to your baby’s sleep cues for restful nights – remember there is help available with sleep training for infants or young children if you are struggling!
Don’t overheat your baby.
Overheating is one of the primary causes of infant cot deaths. Babies may easily overheat while sleeping if wearing too many layers or blankets, or their room is too warm. When overheated, babies can become restless and suffer less sleep which increases their risk for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) by making them more likely to move and accidentally suffocate during sleep.
If you want your baby to feel warm and cozy for bedtime, try swaddling them in light muslin fabric. When using a hat with tiny holes for cooling off purposes and not too large. Also try dressing them in a cotton cellular blanket which has thousands of tiny openings which allows air circulation for keeping their bodies at an ideal temperature.
Always touch your baby’s ears and neck to check for hot or sweaty spots while they sleep, to see if their ears and neck feel warm or sweaty. If this occurs, dress them lighter or move them to a cooler room if necessary.
Baby can safely share a room with their parents until 6 months old in an ideal scenario, ideally using a crib or bassinet. If room sharing becomes an option for you, ensure the bedroom is cool and dark as well as that their mattress is firm and fitted; avoid placing plush toys, pillows, quilts blankets or unfitted sheets into their bed as these could increase risk of SIDS.
Be wary of bed-sharing products like nests or pods that may lead to suffocation for your baby; such products are not recommended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) because they increase risk of them rolling onto their faces or heads and potentially suffocating.
Keep your baby’s sleep area clean.
Your infant’s sleep area must remain clean. Babies sleeping on dirty bedding are more prone to developing rashes or allergies due to contact with bacteria found on it, and secondhand smoke puts your infant at greater risk of SIDS. If you smoke, try quitting while pregnant in order to limit exposure during the newborn stage of life.
Maintaining a clean sleeping environment for your infant or toddler can help lower their risks of SIDS. Make sure there is nothing in their sleep area which could increase entrapment, strangulation or suffocation such as pillows, blankets, toys sheepskins mattress toppers non fitted sheets products attaching directly onto crib slats or sides.
A safe sleep environment refers to any room where your infant sleeps safely in their crib, cradle, bassinet or bassinet in the same bedroom for at least six months – this helps lower their SIDS risk by up to 50% while making it easier for you to feed, comfort, and watch over them.
If you decide to room share, make sure your baby’s crib or other sleep surface is not near your bed. Babies sleeping in adult beds increase their risk for SIDS, suffocation, and other injuries such as head trauma.
Instead, opt for a lightweight one-piece sleeper or sleep sack which offers adequate ventilation. Check for signs of overheating such as sweaty forehead or warm chest and remove clothing that is too tight or hot immediately.