It is always a parents concern how soundly their new baby will sleep.
And while sleeping well is important, we should also be thinking about how to achieve safe sleep for our newborns.
What is Safe Sleep
Safe sleep means to practice habits that will prevent sleep related accidents like Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
This includes sleeping positions, places and timing. The equipment we use like cribs, baby monitors and toys may also affect your baby’s sleep.
Where is Safe to Sleep
One would assume the safest place for a baby to sleep is with their parents.
This is true, but not in the way you might think.
Sleeping in the same room is the best way for parents to monitor their babies.
However, sharing a bed with your baby is not the best idea. There are many risks to sleeping in an adult bed.
This includes accidentally getting tangled in large blankets or smothered by pillows. Or worse, parents accidently rolling on them.
We aren’t aware of what goes on as we sleep, so it’s better to ensure your baby is in a safe place. The best option is a bassinet or crib.
If you are unsure what product is suitable for your child, it is best to refer to a paediatrician or other type of child specialist.
Try to avoid letting your baby sleep on couches, inclined surfaces or car seats. If they happen to sleep off, move them into their crib as soon as possible.
While there are other options that let you be near your baby like bedside sleepers, always check whether they are safe. Do not continue to use them if unsuitable.
How to Create a Safe Sleeping Space
Here’s how to create a safe sleeping space for your baby:
- Babies should always sleep on their backs. Sleeping face down increases risk of suffocation. Once your baby can roll over on their own, it is safe to let them sleep in the natural position they choose.
- Your baby’s crib should be empty apart from their mattress. Pillows, blankets and soft toys can be added once they reach toddler age. If you are worried about your baby getting cold, the best choice is to swaddle them.
- The mattress in your baby’s crib can be elevated as long as they are unable to stand or roll. After that point, it should be lowered to avoid them falling or climbing over the edge. The mattress should also fit well and not leave any spaces in between the walls of the crib.
- Make sure the baby’s sleeping environment is safe. Do not place sharp or dangerous objects near the baby’s crib and never have harmful chemicals in the same room as the baby. This includes smoking.
A few more ways to boost your baby’s health is to practice breastfeeding, use a pacifier (unless they reject it) and avoid too many electronic monitors. These have all been proven to reduce the risk of infant death and suffocation while sleeping.
Baby Monitors and Smart Gadgets for Parental Peace of Mind
Baby monitors are used to keep an eye on babies if they are in a separate room from their parents.
It always preferable to have your newborn in the same room as you.
A baby monitor can be used between six to nine months, when constant parental monitoring isn’t as necessary. At this point, the baby can move to a nursery.
Cardiorespiratory monitors track your baby’s breathing while they sleep.
To be frank, they have not been proven to have reduce SIDS. They can still be used if deemed necessary by your paediatrician in cases like preterm or otherwise vulnerable babies.
Infant sleep machines or any other noise machines to help babies sleep should be used with caution.
They can help babies rest better by disguising background noises with ambient sound. But they have also been associated with damaged infant hearing.
They should be used responsibly while adhering to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Sleeping Soundly
Now that you have ensured your baby’s safety, you are faced with the challenge of getting your newborn to fall asleep in the first place!
This may be difficult at first but children grow fast and soon you will look back fondly on these memories.
Let’s hope your little bundle of joy has a good rest and more importantly, safe sleep, as often as possible.
You’ve got this, parents!
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