I talk a lot about getting your baby to sleep, helping your baby learn to sleep independently…BUT I want to take a moment and talk about SAFE sleep for your baby.
Babies are tiny, vulnerable little people who look to us to keep them safe, and I cannot stress how important it is to follow these safety guidelines.
Ultimately, you will need to access the risks and make that decision for yourself. I do see parent’s however, feel like they have no choice.
I want to let you know that you do, your little one can sleep safely and still get great sleep!
I help parents everyday with this. No guilt about how you are sleeping, just support to move you to a safer environment for your peace of mind and some better sleep for everyone. .
Feel free to share this article with all the caring people in your baby's life: babysitters, aunties and uncles, grandparents, etc. and you can also check out these essential resources:
So let's walk through the areas of baby sleep and how we can make them safe.
ALWAYS on their Back
This is the number one safe sleep recommendation and it has been shown to decrease the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) by 70%. Always, always, ALWAYS put your baby to sleep on their back.
Once your baby can roll onto their tummies themselves they are safe to stay there but always place them on their back first (make sure their hands are free to pull their head up).
“The biggest reduction of SIDS has been made by the back to sleep campaign- recommending that babies always be placed on their back to sleep. In fact, since it’s introduction in 1994, the rate of SIDS has decreased by just about 70 percent”.
Your Baby's Sleep Space and Surface
This is probably the most important part of safe sleep for your baby - looking at how you set up where your baby sleeps.
There are two big components here: their crib (or wherever they're sleeping- this should only be a crib, bassinet or pack-n-play) and what they're sleeping on.
Now let's talk about what's inside your crib...
Your baby.
That's it. Here are things to avoid having in your baby's crib:
pillows
blankets
quilts
comforters
bumper pads
toys
All of these things are suffocation or choking hazards.
Let's talk about their sleep surface...have you ever thought, "oh my mattress is way more comfortable"? Definitely!
But your mattress is designed for YOU - an adult. There's a very real hazard when you let a baby sleep on an adult mattress called re-breathing. Here's the science of it...our mattresses are less firm and that means that there are little pockets of air in them. That is not air that your baby should be breathing and when they do, it's really dangerous for them.
Safe Sleep When Travelling
When travelling with your little one, always bring along a safe place for them to sleep such as their crib or pack-n-play. The temptation again is there to buy another mattress so they're not sleeping on the bottom of the playpen. Believe me, I totally get this. I did this too before I understood sleep safety.
Babies are so much more flexible than we give them credit for, hard surfaces will not make them uncomfortable. While it may look like the mattress is too hard, or you just want it to look like the nursery catalogue page, trust me...your baby is fine and can TOTALLY sleep.
Harder surfaces are better for sleep, and pack n play mattresses are designed so that they are firm just like a crib mattress and that reduces risks.
If you insert a piece that doesn’t belong to the crib or pack n place we are adding a risk factor. Even if small, why take any risk with your child?
The Right Temperature
Your baby should be in light clothing and the room temperature should be comfortable for a lightly clothed adult.
You know how you sometimes get too hot or too cold at night and can't sleep? It's the same for your baby! The safe sleep environment for your baby is actually quite similar to what works best for you: not too warm but not too cold.
So how can we keep our babies warm when we don't want to put a blanket in the crib...?
Swaddles and sleep sacks!
I've written before about swaddles and sleep sacks, and they are your best friend when it comes to keeping your baby safe and warm. Not only does it keep them safer than a blanket, but it is also snug and gives them that womb-like coziness.
On the other hand, when your baby is too warm, that puts them at a higher risk for SIDS, so you want to watch out for that.
How do you know if they're too warm? Check the back of their neck - if it's too hot or sweaty, they're too hot!
Swaddles should only be used until 8 weeks or at first signs of rolling. If your baby rolls in a swaddle it can be very dangerous because they won’t have their hands free to pull their head up.
What about pacifiers?
There are pros and cons to pacifiers, but overall they have been shown to decrease the risk of SIDS. There is the danger of them becoming a sleep crutch, which I talk about here but I am definitely pro-pacifier when used correctly and at the right times.
Products that create strong associations that are not safe for sleep and will affect sleep in the long run…
Swings
Containers - Doc-a-tot, nests
Positioners
Any insert that doesn’t come with the crib
Car seats
Weighted products - sleep sacks
Stay Safe in 4 Steps
There's a workplace safety acronym that works for baby sleep too. It's SAFE.
Spot the Hazard.
Look at your sleep environment, your baby’s sleep position and sleep surfaces. If this is the only way they will sleep? Then let’s get a plan to change that.
Assess the Risk.
Does your baby's sleep fall within these safety guidelines? What risks are associated and are you willing to take that risk.
Find a Safer Way.
If not, check out those links in this article and make some changes. If you want some help or need some clarity, give me a shout. I'm always happy to help you make your baby's sleep safer.
Everyday
And everywhere. Make sure that everyone who cares for your baby is on the same page.
For all things baby sleep, in safest environments, be sure to check out Your Dream Plan. This program is designed for you - to get your baby sleeping and help you feel rested enough to enjoy this incredible time in your baby’s life.
