Safe Sleep Guidelines
Safe Sleep Guidelines
There are new safe sleep guidelines that all parents, family, and caretakers should learn. Assuring that everyone caring for baby uses safe sleep practices will greatly reduce a baby’s risk of SIDS and SUID.
key pointers for safe sleeping
- Babies sleep safest on their backs. Always lay baby face up for sleep. Research has shown that a baby is NOT more likely to choke when on its back.
- Baby should sleep alone in a safe crib.
- Soft objects and loose bedding should be kept out of crib (No bumper pads, pillows, blankets, toys, etc.)
- Room-sharing is advised, but bed-sharing is not. Baby should never share any sleep surface with an adult, a child, or a pet.
- Sleep surfaces matter – firm crib mattresses with no extra padding are safest. Couches, chairs, swings, car seats, air mattresses, and regular beds are unsafe.
- Every sleep time counts – naps and night time.
- Keep baby away from secondhand smoke – there is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure.
- Offer a pacifier at naptime and bedtime as baby is falling asleep.
- Dress baby in light sleep clothing to prevent overheating. If home is cool, use a sleep-sack rather than a loose blanket.
- Baby should never be put to sleep on his or her tummy or side. However, as baby gets older and rolls over in sleep from back to tummy, it is not necessary to change his or her position.
- Products that claim to help prevent SIDS are unproven and can be dangerous. Don’t buy or use them.
Retrieved From or Baby’s Sake SD: Safe Sleep Guidelines. (https://forbabysakesd.com/safe-sleep/?topic=safe-sleep-guidelines) Accessed 8/16/2022.
when is waddling safe?
A blanket wrapped snuggly around your baby’s body can resemble the mother’s womb and help soothe your newborn baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that when done correctly, swaddling can be an effective technique to help calm infants and promote sleep. If you plan to swaddle your infant at home, you need to follow a few guidelines to make sure you are doing it safely:
- Place your baby to sleep on his back, every time you put him to sleep. To reduce the risk of SIDS, this is even more important if your baby is swaddled.
- Monitor your baby when swaddled so they don’t accidentally roll over.
- Keep hips loose. Babies who are swaddled too tightly may develop a problem with their hips.
- Stop swaddling by age 2 months, before the baby intentionally starts to try to roll.
- Get more information about swaddling and how to swaddle correctly.
Retrieved From or Baby’s Sake SD: Safe Sleep Guidelines. (https://forbabysakesd.com/safe-sleep/?topic=safe-sleep-guidelines) Accessed 8/16/2022.