sleeping baby

What Is The Safest Thing For A Baby To Sleep In?

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    Your infant's physical and mental health will benefit from developing healthy sleep routines early on. The sleep environment, including the room temperature, the type of crib or bed used, the firmness of the mattress, and so on, all play a role in helping your child develop healthy sleeping habits.

    Making sure infants and young children have a secure place to sleep has been shown to decrease the likelihood of SIDS, which occurs when an infant or young child under the age of one die suddenly during sleep. Sleeping with your baby on his back can help prevent sudden infant death syndrome.

    Infants younger than one year are encouraged to sleep on their backs in a crib that has been certified as safe by the Canadian government. Bedsharing or having an infant sleep in the same bed as their parents, is not a good idea. Babies shouldn't sleep in adults' beds. Bedsharing has been found in numerous large-scale studies to increase the risk of entrapment and asphyxia for infants.

    A crib can be placed in your bedroom next to your bed so that your baby can sleep safely and soundly while you do. The practise is known as "cosleeping." As a result, many nursing mums appreciate the convenience it brings to their nighttime feedings. Some research suggests that this sleeping arrangement can further minimise the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

    No matter what you decide, here are some things to keep in mind to ensure a restful and secure night's sleep for you and your kid.

    We have a wide range of playpens for your baby right here at My Baby Nursery.

    What Is Safe Sleep?

    When we talk about putting our babies to sleep safely, we're referring to measures that can reduce the risk of SIDS, cot death, and other sleep-related newborn deaths (also called SIDS). To put it simply, sudden infant death syndrome refers to the sudden and unexpected passing of an infant younger than one year of age. Babies typically die of SIDS while they are napping. The infant typically passes away while sleeping in his cot, hence the name.

    sleeping baby

    Your Baby Needs How Much Sleep?

    Babies typically sleep for 16 hours a day, split up into three to four segments. You can't expect your kid to sleep through the night if she isn't getting fed every few hours. Overtiredness and irritability are symptoms of sleep deprivation in infants.

    Don't be alarmed if your infant only manages two-hour stretches of awake time. Her body settles into a routine sleep schedule over time. She begins to extend her slumber into the wee hours of the night. Get in touch with your baby's doctor if you're concerned about her sleeping habits.

    Where Should You Put Your Baby To Sleep?

    You should put your infant to bed in a bassinet or cot by herself. Make sure each baby is in his own bassinet or cot if you have twins, triplets, or more. Here are some safety precautions you should take when preparing your baby's bedroom:

    Do’s

    • Always ensure that your infant is sleeping on his back, on a flat, solid surface such as a crib mattress with a snugly fitted sheet. Make sure you only use the mattress that was designed for your baby's bed. There shouldn't be any room for the mattress to move about inside the crib. A tightly fitting sheet or mattress cover should not alter the firmness of the mattress.
    • Remember to tuck your infant into his cot or bassinet every night. Stop sharing bedrooms. Babies sleeping with their parents in a shared bed is a common practise. The primary cause of infant mortality in the first three months of life is the practise of bed sharing. Your infant will sleep better if his or her crib is close to yours. During the first year of your child's life, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that you and your child share a room but not a bed. This is especially true during the first six months.
    • Please verify that your baby's bassinet, crib, or play yard complies with all applicable safety regulations. If you live in the United States and want additional information about product safety regulations or recalls, you may check out the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
    • Do not leave your baby's crib near dangling cords from the window or wires from the outlet. Infants risk choking if they become entangled in them.
    • The room temperature should be maintained at a pleasant level. Your infant may be overheated if you notice that he is sweating excessively or that his chest feels hot to the touch.

    Don’ts

    • Throw away your sleep positioners. Nests or anti-roll pillows are alternative names for these. Babies can be kept in place with the help of these mats, wedges, and pillows. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has issued a warning that sleep positioners pose a suffocation risk for infants.
    • Do not put your infant to sleep in a stroller, car seat, sling, or other similar device. Babies can suffocate if they sleep in one of these products. If your infant nods off in one, you should move her to her cot immediately.
    • Avoid letting your infant sleep on a waterbed, couch, cushion, or other soft surface.
    • Crib bumpers, loose sheets, toys, and other soft objects should not be kept in the crib. They pose a risk of suffocation, entanglement, and trapping to your infant.
    • Avoid using cribs that can be easily disassembled. When using portable bed rails, never place them on a standard bed. Infants can strangle if they become entangled between railings. Don't bother trying to mend a crib if there are missing or broken parts.

    Sleeping Risks

    All infants under the age of one year, but especially those less than six months, are at risk for SIDS. Crib death refers to infant deaths that happen when the baby is in their crib. It is not contagious and is not caused by an infection or a drug. If no other factor can be identified, this will be stated as the cause of death. The odds are better because of those factors. Among these are:

    • Infection
    • Premature birth
    • Prenatal alcohol or drug exposure
    • Smoking exposure before or after delivery

    Whether or not the presence of a sibling who died of SIDS raises the risk is unknown.

    In rare cases, a baby's airway might get closed while he is sleeping. This can cause infants to die of asphyxiation (SUID).

    Room Sharing

    Newborns should stay in their parents' bedroom at least until they turn six months old, and ideally for the entire year. Recent studies have shown that room sharing can reduce the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome by as much as half. It's less of a hassle to care for, soothe, and feed your infant. However, he requires his own private refuge: A cot, bassinet, or co-sleeper is a portable or stationary bedside crib for infants. Babies are not allowed in bed with their parents. The chance of suffocation for the kid rises dramatically in such a scenario, and it rises even further if the mother smokes, drinks, or uses drugs, including some prescription medications.

    How Do You Sleep Your Baby Safely?

    Here are some tips to keep your baby safe while you put her to sleep:

    • Until your kid is a year old, you should always put him to sleep on his back. Babies should never sleep on their stomachs or sides. It's very normal for a newborn who can roll to sleep on his side, stomach, or back.
    • You should put your infant in comfortable sleepwear. Don't cover his head with his pyjamas, and take off any strings or ties. In order to keep your baby warm without having to cover his head or face, a blanket sleeper is a great option. Until your baby learns to roll over onto his tummy, swaddling him for sleep is completely safe. Swaddling should be discontinued once your baby learns to turn over. The risk of sudden infant death syndrome may increase if a swaddled baby is placed on his tummy or rolls onto his tummy while sleeping. Swaddling is the practice of wrapping your infant in a light blanket so that it completely envelops him or her except for the head and arms.
    • Put a pacifier in the baby's mouth. Pacifiers may reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Wait until your baby is 3-4 weeks old, or until she is habituated to breastfeeding, to introduce a pacifier. Don't try to force a pacifier on your infant if he or she isn't ready for one. It's normal for the pacifier to slide out of your sleeping baby's mouth. The pacifier should not be worn around the baby's neck or fastened to an item of clothing or a toy. Provide your infant with a pacifier whether napping or sleeping.
    • A home cardiorespiratory monitor is not an effective method for preventing sudden infant death syndrome. Babies' breathing and heart rate can be monitored with one of these devices. Unfortunately, some infants with medical complications actually require this type of monitor. In healthy infants, the monitors have not been shown to lessen the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome.

    Check out our range of baby playpens at My Baby Nursery.

    FAQs About Baby

    You must never put your infant to sleep in a swing, bouncer, rocker, or any other type of chair; this is especially true for infants under four months old. However, if she should fall asleep while sitting in one, you should take her to a secure position, such as a crib, as soon as possible.

    Always put the baby to sleep on their back, whether for a nap or the night, to lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Before they turn one year old, babies should always sleep on their backs because this is the safest position for them.

    It is recommended that newborns sleep in a bassinet rather than a crib since the bassinet is smaller, cosier, and more comfortable than a crib, and it also places the baby closer to the parent's bed.

    Babies are at higher risk for SIDS if they:

    • Sleep on their stomachs.
    • Sleep on soft surfaces, such as an adult mattress, couch, chair or under soft coverings.
    • Sleep on or under soft or loose bedding.
    • Get too hot during sleep.

    The majority of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) deaths occur in infants aged one month to four months, and the vast majority (90%) of SIDS deaths occur before a baby reaches the age of six months. However, sudden infant death syndrome can strike at any point during the first year of a baby's life. SIDS claims the lives of just a few more boys than it does girls.

    What Effect Does Breastfeeding Have On Safe Sleep?

    An infant's risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) can be lowered by breastfeeding for the first six months of life.

    Breastfeeding your infant in bed is perfectly acceptable. Do not fall asleep while feeding, therefore remove all pillows and blankets from your bed before you begin. If you do nod off, remember to transfer your infant to his cot or bassinet as soon as you awake. Bed is the safest place to breastfeed a baby, rather than a couch or padded chair.

    how should a baby with torticollis sleep

    When babies are full of breastfeeding, they generally fall asleep. Try gently waking your baby by caressing his back, burping him, tickling his feet, or moving him to the other breast if you believe he has fallen asleep while still needing to be fed. Your infant may fall asleep if he hasn't properly latched on. To release the latch, insert your pinky finger into his mouth. Consult a lactation professional for advice on establishing a secure latch with your baby. When your baby's mouth is properly latched onto the area around your nipple, you can begin to nurse.

    Is there anything else you can do to lessen your baby's vulnerability to SIDS and other sleep-related dangers?

    Yes. Here’s what you can do:

    • Get your youngster vaccinated on time. She will be protected from potentially fatal childhood ailments thanks to these vaccinations. Immunising kids is important for their health and for preventing the spread of disease.
    • Don't expose your child to tobacco smoke (from cigarettes, cigars, or pipes) or secondhand smoke, and don't smoke around them. Premature infant death syndrome is more common in babies whose parents smoke. Don't allow smoking anywhere, especially in your home or vehicle.
    • Don't expose your unborn child to any potential dangers, such smoking, alcohol, or drugs. These behaviours by mums raise the risk of sudden infant death syndrome in their infants.
    • Attend all of your prenatal appointments. Babies born to women who do not receive routine prenatal care are at a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
    • Can a bedtime ritual help your infant in falling asleep?
    • Yes. Even if your baby's sleep schedule shifts over time, maintaining a regular routine at bedtime can help everyone relax. Beginning at roughly 4 or 6 months of age, establish a nighttime routine for your kid.

    Here are some tips for putting your infant to sleep:

    • Relax and enjoy your playtime.
    • The phone, the TV, everything must be turned off.
    • Bathe your kid in warm water.
    • Stroke your baby's back gently.
    • Provide your baby with a pacifier.
    • Sing to your infant or listen to quiet music.
    • Read a bedtime tale to your infant.
    • As much as possible, stick to your baby's sleep regimen. Plan ahead of time if your baby's schedule may require a temporary alteration, such as if you'll be travelling out of town or attending family gatherings. Change his bedtime as much as you can, but try to get him back on track with his schedule and routine as soon as possible.

    What Is Tummy Time?

    During tummy time, you place your awake baby on her stomach. Your infant's neck, shoulder, and arm muscles can all benefit from doing this. It also protects your baby's back from the flattening that might occur when she sleeps on her back. During stomach time, you should keep a close eye on your baby or have another awake adult do so.

    Make A Safe Sleeping Space

    Your kid should always sleep on his or her back during naps and at night.

    • Babies should not be tucked into bed on their sides. If your infant vomits, they won't choke. Watch this video for more tips on getting a good night's rest.
    • Put your infant only on a firm mattress inside a secure crib that has a snugly fitted sheet. Spindles on a bassinet, play yard, or crib should be no more than 2-3/8 inches apart, and the sides of the crib should not drop down.
    • To prevent suffocation, your baby's crib should never have any soft bedding, comforters, loose sheets, toys, blankets, positioners, pillows, sheepskins, or bumpers. Your infant might suffocate in one of them.
    • Let your baby continue to sleep in whatever position they are in when you check on them.
    • The baby's sleeping area should be left unadorned, but the rest of the room can be decorated anyway you like.
    • Babies need a firm mattress in their own room, and they should never sleep on adult beds, couches, or armchairs.
    • If your baby falls asleep in a car seat or swing, it could obstruct his or her airway and cause a serious health problem. Move your baby to a safe sleeping environment immediately.
    • If you have more than one bedroom in your house, make sure your kid has his or her own safe room to sleep in each night.
    • DO NOT SHARE A BED. The risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SUIDS) is raised. Babies can easily suffocate on adult beds due to the soft mattresses and blankets, or if an adult rolls over on top of them.
    • Bed-sharing entails the following:
      • Your infant is sleeping in your bed with you.
      • Your baby is sleeping in the same bed as other youngsters.
      • Your child is sleeping in bed with pets.
    • Please consider sharing a room if at all possible. It's useful for avoiding SUIDS. Sharing a bedroom with a baby means allowing the infant to sleep with you but in a separate, secure sleeping area, such as a bassinet, crib, or portable play yard.
    • The incidence of sudden infant deaths can be reduced by breastfeeding. If you are breastfeeding your baby, you may do so in bed, but once you're done, your baby should go back to their own bed or crib, where they will be safer. This is especially important if you fall asleep while nursing and wake up in the middle of the night.

    Make Your Home Safe Environment

    You should never let somebody smoke in the same room as your infant. Babies who are exposed to secondhand smoking have a higher risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome than babies who live in smoke-free homes.

    Suids Can Be Prevented By Using A Pacifier.

    • When it's time for the baby to sleep, give him a dry pacifier.
    • You should never force a pacifier onto your child.
    • There's no need to wake up a sleeping baby to reinsert a pacifier.
    • Do not utilise a pacifier clip, a pacifier prop, or a pacifier attached to a plush animal for your infant.

    Maintain A Comfortable Temperature In Sleeping Rooms.

    • Your infant will be more at ease if you do, too.
    • Make sure your infant isn't overheated. Overheating can disrupt the brain's ability to regulate respiration and wake the baby. Be careful not to overdress your infant. When touched, they shouldn't feel particularly warm.
    • Infants require an extra layer of clothing over what an adult would typically wear. Dress your infant in warmer pyjamas than you normally wear, or layer a Onesie below.
    • In place of loose blankets, use a sleep sack or other form of wearable blanket to keep your infant toasty.

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    Ask The Healthcare Providers For Your Baby About Over-The-Counter Products.

    • Avoid using wedges and other baby positioners that make similar claims. The efficacy and safety of these products have not been verified.
    • When trying to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SUIDS), you should not use a baby monitor that was not prescribed by your doctor. Your paediatrician will likely recommend a medical home monitor for your child if they feel it is necessary.

    An infant's head is very tender when still young. People whose normal sleeping position is on their backs may develop mild flattening of the backs of their heads. Placement plagiocephaly is the medical term for this condition. By 12 months of age, most babies have fully recovered without any medical treatment.

    If you're concerned about your baby's head position while sleeping, try gently shifting the angle of his or her head each time you set him or her down. A baby should always sleep on his or her back. Then, when your baby is awake, avoid putting any pressure on the back of their head. This can be facilitated by time spent lying on one's stomach.

    Conclusion

    Sleeping your child on his back reduces the risk of SIDS (SIDS). Under-one-year-olds should sleep on their backs in a Canadian government-approved crib. Bedsharing—letting young people sleep with their parents—is not smart. The AAP advises sharing a room but not a bed with your child. Bedsharing is the biggest risk factor for infant mortality in the first three months.

    Your infant will sleep better in a crib near yours. Crib deaths occur when infants die in their cribs. A newborn can suffocate between railings. Toys, loose sheets, crib bumpers, and other dangerous items should not be in the baby's bed. Fixing a crib without all its parts is pointless.

    Swaddling involves wrapping your newborn in a tiny or receiving blanket, except for the head and arms. Music is optional for swaddling. Pacifiers may reduce SIDS. Beds are safer for nursing than sofas or soft chairs. If you are worried about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or your baby has fallen asleep while still needing to be fed, you can assist your infant in sleeping properly at night and in the evening. Tips for putting your young child to sleep are below.

    If they vomit, babies on their sides can strangle themselves. Babies must sleep in their room with a firm mattress, never in adult beds, couches, or armchairs. Sharing beds can spread SUIDS, so if possible, choose roommates. Your baby should sleep in their bed while nursing. Never smoke in a room with a youngster.

    High body temperature can disrupt the brain's respiratory control, awakening the sleeping infant. Keep your baby's temperature down to calm them. If you're worried about your baby's head posture while sleeping, try slightly altering the angle each time you set them down. 

    Content Summary

    • Your infant's physical and mental health will benefit from developing healthy sleep routines early on.
    • The sleep environment, including the room temperature, the type of crib or bed used, the firmness of the mattress, and so on, all play a role in helping your child develop healthy sleeping habits.
    • Making sure infants and young children have a secure place to sleep has decreased the likelihood of SIDS, which occurs when an infant or young child under one dies suddenly during sleep.
    • Sleeping with your baby on his back can help prevent sudden infant death syndrome.
    • Babies shouldn't sleep in adults' beds.
    • A crib can be placed in your bedroom next to your bed so that your baby can sleep safely and soundly while you do.
    • Some research suggests that this sleeping arrangement can further minimise the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
    • Regardless of your decision, here are some things to remember to ensure a restful and secure night's sleep for you and your kid.
    • When we talk about putting our babies to sleep safely, we're referring to measures that can reduce the risk of SIDS, cot death, and other sleep-related newborn deaths (also called SIDS).
    • To put it simply, sudden infant death syndrome refers to the sudden and unexpected passing of an infant younger than one year of age.
    • Get in touch with your baby's doctor if you're concerned about her sleeping habits.
    • It would be best to put your infant to bed in a bassinet or cot alone.
    • Make sure you only use the mattress designed for your baby's bed.
    • Babies sleeping with their parents in a shared bed is a common practice.
    • The primary cause of infant mortality in the first three months of life is the practice of bed-sharing.
    • Your infant will sleep better if their crib is close to yours.
    • During the first year of your child's life, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that you and your child share a room but not a bed.
    • Please verify that your baby's bassinet, crib, or play yard complies with all applicable safety regulations.
    • Do not put your infant to sleep in a stroller, car seat, sling, or another device.
    • Avoid letting your infant sleep on a waterbed, couch, cushion, or soft surface.
    • Crib bumpers, loose sheets, toys, and other soft objects should not be kept in the crib.
    • They pose a risk of suffocation, entanglement, and trapping to your infant.
    • Avoid using cribs that can be easily disassembled.
    • All infants under one year, but especially those under six months, are at risk for SIDS.
    • Crib death refers to infant death when the baby is in their crib.
    • Recent studies have shown that room sharing can reduce the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome by as much as half.
    • However, he requires his private refuge: A cot, bassinet, or co-sleeper is a portable or stationary bedside crib for infants.
    • Swaddling him for sleep is completely safe until your baby learns to roll over onto his tummy.
    • Provide your infant with a pacifier, whether napping or sleeping.
    • A home cardiorespiratory monitor is ineffective for preventing sudden infant death syndrome.
    • An infant's sudden death syndrome (SIDS) risk can be lowered by breastfeeding for the first six months of life.
    • Breastfeeding your infant in bed is perfectly acceptable.
    • Your infant may fall asleep if he hasn't properly latched on.
    • Consult a lactation professional for advice on establishing a secure latch with your baby.
    • Don't allow smoking anywhere, especially in your home or vehicle.
    • Even if your baby's sleep schedule shifts over time, maintaining a routine at bedtime can help everyone relax.
    • At roughly 4 or 6 months, establish a nighttime routine for your kid.
    • It also protects your baby's back from the flattening that might occur when she sleeps on her back.
    • Your kid should always sleep on their back during naps and at night.
    • Babies should not be tucked into bed on their sides.
    • Put your infant on a firm mattress inside a secure crib with a snugly fitted sheet.
    • Babies need a firm mattress in their room and should never sleep on adult beds, couches, or armchairs.
    • Move your baby to a safe sleeping environment immediately.
    • If you have more than one bedroom in your house, ensure your kid has a safe room to sleep in each night.
    • The risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SUIDS) is raised.
    • Bed-sharing entails the following: Your infant is sleeping with you.
    • If you are breastfeeding your baby, you may do so in bed, but once you're done, your baby should return to their bed or crib, where they will be safer.
    • It would be best if you never let somebody smoke in the same room as your infant.
    • It would be best if you never forced a pacifier onto your child.
    • Dress your infant in warmer pyjamas than you normally wear, or layer a Onesie below.
    • In place of loose blankets, use a sleep sack or other wearable blanket to keep your infant toasty.
    • Avoid using wedges and other baby positioners that make similar claims.
    • When trying to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SUIDS), you should not use a baby monitor that your doctor did not prescribe.
    • Your paediatrician will likely recommend a medical home monitor for your child if they feel it is necessary.
    • If you're concerned about your baby's head position while sleeping, try gently shifting the angle of their head each time you set them down.
    • Then, when your baby is awake, avoid putting any pressure on the back of their head.
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