Safe Sleep For Babies- How to Ensure?

Last Updated on June 2, 2022 by babygatesplus.com

Ever heard of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)? All babies under one year old are at risk of crib death, especially the younger ones below 6 months. This is a sudden death that is not caused by infection or medication. Sometimes the baby’s airway becomes blocked while sleeping, leading to death. It is therefore very important to ensure safe sleep for babies.

What is Safe Sleep for Infants?

Safe sleep for babies is the whole process of putting your baby to sleep in a way that can protect them from dangers. Some of the risks involved when babies are sleeping include chocking, suffocation and inability to breathe. All these can cause sudden infant death syndrome. To avoid this, you can ensure that your baby gets a safe sleep by following this guideline.

Make Sure that Your Baby Sleeps on his/ her Back It is risky for your baby to sleep on their tummy or side. Until they are 1 year old, always put your baby to sleep on their back. This is because babies are unlikely to choke when sleeping on their back.

They are also able to cough out or swallow anything when they are lying on their backs. Sleeping on the belly causes a reduction in the blood pressure of the kid, which lowers the ability for oxygen to get to the brain. A baby sleeping on their side will probably choke if he/she spits up.

1. Make A Safe Place For The Baby To Sleep

Your baby needs a very secure place to nap. A bay should sleep on a firm mattress with well-fitted sheets in a safe crib. When it comes to beddings, never use loose sheets. Instead, always ensure they are tightly tucked. Also, don’t use soft bedding, pillows, blankets, and comforters. All these pose a very high risk for the baby’s suffocation.

2. Your Baby Should Be Dressed In Light Sleep Clothes

When preparing your baby to sleep, ensure that you dress them lightly. But depending on the warmth, you can dress them warmly during winter. Remove any strings or ties that may be around your baby’s pyjamas and do not cover their head while they are sleeping.

3. Ensure The Baby’s Crib Is Empty

Your baby’s crib should always be empty when the baby is sleeping. You might be tempted to place sleep positioners or anti-roll pillows to offer comfort to your baby as they sleep and end up making the biggest mistake. All these could cause your baby to stop breathing and suffocate.

Also, keep away toys and bumpers in the kid’s sleeping area. It is also good if your baby changes their position as they are asleep to allow them to stay as they are. Finally, let your baby sleep in the crib only. This means that it is not safe for your kid to sleep on the couch, the armchair or any other soft surfaces. They should sleep on a firm mattress only.

4. Do Not Share Your Bed With Your Baby

There are many risks associated with sharing your bed with your baby. One is that the bedding in your bed is soft, which can easily cause suffocation to your baby because soft sheets block airways. The other risk is that you can roll over to your baby without knowing, leading to his/her suffocation.

However, sharing your room with your baby at least during their first year is advisable. Put the baby’s crib in your room. Sharing your room with the baby will give you a better chance to monitor your baby easily.

You can also breastfeed your baby on your bed but remember to place them back in their crib once you have finished. Research shows that breastfeeding a baby regularly decreases the risk of the baby dying due to sleep-related infant death.

5. Create A Safe Home Environment For Your Kid

Research shows that babies exposed to smoke are more likely to be affected by SIDS than those who stay in a smoke-free environment. Therefore, it is advisable to never allow anyone to smoke when your baby is around.

6. Give Your Baby A Pacifier

The use of a pacifier may help protect your baby from SIDS. However, not all babies are fun or pacified. If they do not like it, please do not force it. If your baby is breastfeeding, it’s good to wait until one month before you introduce a pacifier to them.

If the pacifier falls out of the baby’s mouth, don’t make the mistake of returning it, hanging it around the baby’s neck, or even attaching it to their clothes. Pacifiers should be offered to the baby during bed or nap times only. Offer one that is clean and dry.

7. Educate Your Caregivers

Never assume that the people you leave to take care of your kid while you are away know all the safe sleep guidelines. This includes nannies, your friends, babysitters, grandparents, and even your relatives. Educating them on the safe sleep guidelines to prevent any risk is good. Let them know how important it is to follow the safe sleep rules.

8. Attend The Campaign For Safe Sleep

Most public national institutes for health offer education on safe sleep guidelines. It is good to attend to such campaigns because knowledge is power. You will also be trained to create and give your kid a secure, safe sleep environment. 

9. Don’t Use Baby Blankets

There is no need to use a baby blanket because it can entangle your baby and lead to suffocation. Instead, dress your baby in sleep clothing that is warm enough, for example, a sleeping sack or a wearable blanket.

So many infants deaths have been associated with unsafe sleeping. Don’t let your kid be used as a statistic. Instead, follow these guidelines and ensure that your baby has a safe sleep.