Sleep Safety And Babies
There is a lot of information about infants sleeping safely. Most expectant parents and parents of infants such as yourself are aware of how important it is for the baby to sleep on his or her back. That reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS drastically as the baby will not be at risk for their airways to be blocked. If they sleep on their stomachs or sides where they can easily slip, that increases the chances of them being smothered since they are not able to move their necks until they are around 4 months old.
However, there are other sleeping safety requirements that you need to be aware of that may not be talked about often enough. Putting babies on their backs to sleep is highly important. But that alone will not reduce any risks of the baby's airways from being blocked if the bedding that the baby is sleeping in is not safe.
What Makes The Baby's Bedding Unsafe?
When placing a baby into a crib or a Moses basket, do not put a blanket on the infant. Do not put any toys in there either. If your baby is sleeping in a crib, be sure that the crib sheets fit over the mattress perfectly and there are no loose areas. Additionally, you will want to make sure that the mattress fits within the crib frame perfectly. Any gaps of space between the crib frame and the mattress can cause the infant to become trapped which is also dangerous. Therefore, the mattress needs to be safe, and no loose bedding is allowed.
You may be concerned about the baby becoming cold if there is no blanket. However, there is no need to worry. As long as the sleeper that the baby is wearing is appropriate for the temperature of the home and the weather.
How Can Infants Be Kept Comfortable Temperature-Wise When They Are Sleeping?
Babies can also wear sleep sacks that will keep them warm and comfortable during the cooler months as well. You may not be aware as well with how important it is to keep your home at room temperature which is 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit or 20 to 22 degrees Celcius. If the heat is set higher than that, then there is a risk that the baby will become overheated which will cause them not to sleep well. They can end up with a heat rash, and they can become dehydrated from sweating too much.
If you follow these guidelines, then your baby will be fine. You may not even decide to put your baby into the crib immediately as he or she will be too small for it anyway.
What Type Of Bedding Is Ideal For A Newborn?
You will want to look at a Moses bassinet or any other alternative you feel safe purchasing. Moses baskets are completely safe and comfortable. The sheet is fitted in very tightly, and the bassinet is extremely durable. It is made of natural and non-toxic products as well. You and other parents can relax knowing that your baby would not be breathing anything dangerous while sleeping in the bassinet. It is suitable for infants that weigh up to 20 lbs only.
Now that you are aware of how to keep your baby safe while sleeping, you can relax as you take the necessary precautions that were just outlined.