A brand new baby! How exciting! Whether it is your first baby or your fourth baby, there are always new things to be learned. When it comes to information and expert advice on safe sleep for baby, SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Services) of Illinois, Inc have the answers to your questions.
Tips for Safe Sleeping
- The best place for a baby to sleep is alone in a safe crib. It is important that baby not share a bed with an adult, child, or another infant (even a twin sibling) because there have been a number of babies that have died as a result of accidental suffocation by overlaying, entrapment or positional asphyxia.
- The best position for baby to sleep is on their backs. In the US, SIDS deaths have decreased nearly 50% since the introduction of the “Back to Sleep” national campaign. Side sleeping has been shown to put baby at higher risk for death because of the chance that they will roll to their tummy. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend side sleeping as an alternative to strict back sleeping for the healthy baby. Around 4-5 months of age, baby will begin to roll to their tummy and back again. This is part of normal growth and development.
- Baby should sleep in a smoke free room. This includes NOT sleeping in a room where others smoke as well as not bed sharing with an adult who is a smoker. Smoking has repeatedly been linked to SIDS especially when bed sharing occurs between baby and smoker. SIDS of Illinois, Inc. recommends that baby never be exposed to cigarette smoke.
- Baby should sleep on a firm, flat mattress with a tight fitted sheet. Babies should never sleep on surfaces not specifically meant for infant sleep. In the United States, adult mattresses were never intended for a sleeping infant. Newer mattresses have pillow toppers or memory foam that is much too soft for a baby. Babies have suffocated from sleeping on sofas, couches, chairs, waterbeds, beanbags, sheepskins, a sagging mattress or a mattress that does not fit snuggly against the headboard or footboard of a crib. It is also important that mattresses never be covered with thin plastic coverings.
- Blanket free Sleep is the way to go! Layer clothing on baby for warmth instead of layering blankets. SIDS of Illinois, Inc. recommends a wearable blanket as a safe alternative to standard blanketing. Baby’s face should never be covered and pillows should never be used. This can also cause suffocation. Newborns can be swaddled if necessary, but remember that swaddling holds in body heat, so adjust the baby’s clothing accordingly.
- Stuffed animals, pillows, bumper pads or other fluffy items do not belong in baby’s sleep area. There have been numerous reports of suffocation from accidentally covering the baby’s mouth and nose with these items
- Do not dress baby too warmly. Allowing babies to become too warmly dressed has been shown to be a risk factor for SIDS. Avoid extra clothing especially when baby has a fever.
- Offer a pacifier for naptime and nighttime. Current research has documented that pacifier use during sleep from age 1 month to 1 year may reduce the risk of SIDS. What is important to note is that breastfeeding needs to be established prior to the introduction of the pacifier so as not to make breastfeeding more difficult to establish. However, if baby does not want the pacifier, its use should never be forced upon baby. If the baby spits out the pacifier, it is not necessary to reinsert it as the protective qualities remain for quite some time.
SIDS of Illinois, Inc. strongly encourages breastfeeding for all infants. We also encourage room sharing with parents when baby is in their own crib. We do, however, discourage placing baby in an adult bed with parents and/or other siblings when it is time for sleep. Adult beds in the United States were not designed for use by infants. Babies cannot compete in this environment. They are unable to move away or push away another body or an obstruction such as a pillow. In addition, the typical adult bed is generally full of items that we just insisted be removed from the infant crib; fluffy blankets, quilts, pillows, etc. By following the recommendations from the AAP, deaths due to SIDS, suffocation, entrapment, and overlay can be dramatically reduced.
Important Tummy Time Tips
- Give baby as much floor time experience as possible. Babies like to play and engage with toys and people at eye level.
- Whenever possible, limit their time in car seats, bouncy chairs, swings and strollers. Never sleep a baby in this equipment, especially if baby has a cold. Baby tends to slump down and makes it more difficult for baby to take a deep breath.
- While awake and supervised, lay baby on floor with a towel propping up baby on their side. Place toys out in front and to the sides of them to encourage reaching in all directions.
- Encourage siblings to play on floor with baby while being supervised.
- When baby is on the floor or other clean, firm surfaces he/she will learn to move and figure out how to get in and out of the positions they find most comfortable. Babies need this open space time to explore and get to know their environments and bodies.
SIDS of Illinois, Inc. is a 501-c-3 not for profit organization dedicated to supporting families who have experienced the death of an infant, educating the public and professionals about ways to reduce the risk of SIDS and accidental suffocation, and eliminating SIDS through appropriate research. For more information, please visit our website at www.sidsillinois.org or contact Nancy at [email protected]
