October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month. One of the biggest things you can do to prevent SIDS is promoting safe sleep for your baby. Babies spend a majority of their day sleeping, and there are a few simple steps you can follow to make their sleep space as safe as possible.
Follow the ABCs of safe sleep: Babies should always sleep Alone, on their Back, in a Crib.
A is for ALONE.
Babies should sleep by themselves, in their own sleep space with no other people. While the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends room-sharing during the first year of life, bed sharing is never recommended. Keep pillows, blankets, toys, stuffed animals, and all other soft items out of the sleep space.
Babies can use a pacifier in the crib if it is not attached to the baby, their clothes, or any part of the crib. The only other thing that should be in your baby’s sleep space is a tightly fitted sheet.
B is for on their BACK.
Infants should always be placed on their backs for sleep. When your baby is laid down to rest on his or her side or tummy, the risk of suffocation due to rebreathing carbon dioxide increases. If your baby spits up while sleeping on his or her back, you can trust that their gag reflex is strong enough that he or she will avoid choking.
They will eventually learn how to roll from back to tummy and tummy to back. Once they can confidently roll over both ways on their own, it’s okay to leave them like that, but always place them on their back initially.
C is for CRIB.
Use a crib (or a safety-approved Pack and Play or bassinet) with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet. That’s it! The crib should not have bumpers of any kind, and nothing should be attached to the crib, such as a monitor or a mobile. Babies can sleep in a swaddle until they’re 8 weeks old and a sleep sack with their arms out after that.
Avoid letting baby sleep on a couch or armchair, as they are likely too soft, and they can easily roll off. Sleeping in a car seat is ok, but only while riding in the car. Babies should be removed from the car seat and placed in a crib once the trip is over.
If you want to go even further down the list to ensure safe sleep, you can add a D and E:
D is for DON’T SMOKE.
Never let anyone smoke around your baby. Clinical research has shown that newborns exposed to secondhand smoke can develop severe health problems. These can include breathing problems, bad colds, respiratory issues or even delayed physical or mental development.
The chemicals found in secondhand smoke can affect the brain and interfere with the way infants regulate their breathing. They become more at risk to get sick more often, and their lungs grow less than other children who avoid secondhand smoke exposure. Wheezing and coughing are more common post-exposure, as are pneumonia and bronchitis. Similar to fetuses exposed to tobacco smoke through their parents, infants exposed to secondhand smoke are also at a higher risk of SIDS.
E is for EDUCATE.
Ensure everyone that cares for your baby is educated about safe sleep practices. That includes all parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, babysitters, childcare providers, and anyone who might care for baby.
As with any baby products, do your research, check for recalls, register your product, and read the manual before using a new or used crib, bassinet, care seat or other product. Always ask your child’s pediatrician if you have questions or concerns about your baby’s sleep quality, quantity or environment.
For more baby crib safety tips visit Baby Crib Safety: Tips Every Parent Should Know.
