Baby Sleep Safety Tips
Parents sometimes worry about the safety of their new baby while they are sleeping. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and accidents while in the cot (or moses basket) are thankfully rare, but it is still a good idea to take sensible precautions to minimise the risk to your baby. Here are the safety measures you should be taking.
Studies have shown the safest position for baby to sleep in is on their backs. The risk of cot death has reduced by the time they are old enough to role onto their front, and it is unnecessary to turn them back onto their back if they have rolled over in their sleep.
Put your baby to sleep "feet to foot" - that is with their feet touching the foot of the cot. The only exception is if you are using baby sleeping bags, when there is no danger of your baby wriggling downwards beneath their covers.
Do not use a pillow or duvet until your baby is a toddler.
Ensure your cot, cradle or moses basket has a firm mattress. Babies need firm support while sleeping.
If your moses basket or cot is not new, you should still purchase a new mattress. Second hand mattresses slightly raise the risk of SIDS, especially if the previous user was not a sibling.
Don't use cot bumpers in the cot for the first 6 months.
Don't put cuddly toys in the cot until your baby is 4 to 6 months old (comforters are normally ok), and after that try to limit them to 1 or 2 toys.
If you are using a moses basket, never place it on a raised surface other than a moses basket stand which is specifically designed for the purpose.
Smoking in the house or around your baby raises the risk of SIDS. Do not smoke around your children and never smoke in a room where your baby may sleep.
Pay attention to the temperature of the nursery, (or your bedroom if your baby is spending his first few weeks there) - ideally it needs to be around 18 degrees Celsius. Your baby's bedding and sleepwear should reflect the temperature. Wrapping your baby too warmly can cause him to overheat, which can be dangerous.
There is conflicting advice on whether co-sleeping can be dangerous. Some studies suggest that the risk of rolling onto your baby makes it inadvisable, but others suggest a co-sleeping parent is more likely to wake and take action if their baby gets into difficulty while sleeping. If you do co-sleep, never do so if you have been drinking alcohol, taking drugs, are on medication, are ill or unusually tired.
Do not sleep with your baby on the sofa, as occasionally tragic accidents do happen.
Keep pets out of any room where your baby is sleeping, unless you are in there to keep a close watch.
Have a baby monitor for when your baby is sleeping in a separate room to the one you are in.
Adhering to these straightforward guidelines will minimise the chances of your baby encountering problems while asleep.
|
