Welcome, parents and caregivers! You’re done with baby names, baby clothes, and a baby shower. Now, one of the most important things you can do for newborn care is to provide them with a safe sleep environment. While it may seem like a simple task, there are many factors to consider when creating a safe sleep space for promoting optimal baby health.
To make sure that your kid receives the rest they require to grow, you must provide a secure sleeping environment as well as healthy baby food. So, let’s dive in and explore some key tips and strategies for creating a safe and comfortable sleep space for healthy baby development.
The risk of infant death when sleeping
The risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) can be reduced by taking a few easy precautions in newborn care to keep your infant safe while they sleep. SIDS is an uncommon but devastating condition for parents and families. It takes technical knowledge to give your baby a safe place to sleep. While SIDS doesn’t exclusively happen when newborns are sleeping, it is more likely to do so.
Safe Baby Sleep: The ABCs of Baby Health
Alone – Babies should sleep on their surfaces at all times. SUIDS and other sleep-related fatalities are in danger from bed sharing.
Back – Always put your baby to bed on their back.
Crib – The crib ought to be bare. Bumper pads, cushions, blankets, plush animals, toys, and supplies like diapers and wipes are thus prohibited.
8 tips on creating a safe sleep environment for your baby
- Keep aside items that might suffocate the infant
When put on soft surfaces, your babies might easily roll over onto their sides or their stomachs. A newborn may not have enough oxygen to breathe if it flips over onto a soft surface, which can result in asphyxia. Stuffed animals, cushions, baby gear, baby toys and other objects that resemble pillows shouldn’t be placed in your baby’s cot. These have the potential for asphyxia.
Avoid covering your baby’s cot with bulky blankets or quilts. When they are asleep, they may easily cover their heads. Instead of using a blanket, you might outfit your infant with a sleeper.
- Keep near your baby
For the first six months of life, your baby should ideally sleep in your bedroom since it has been proven to reduce the incidence of SIDS by half and give parents and babies comfort. A baby in your bed carries the danger of choking or hurting themselves by falling into a crack. Keep your infant in a cot next to you or somewhere else in your bedroom as your baby continues with baby development.
- Lie your infant down on their back
The Canadian Paediatric Society advises that starting at birth, you should put your infant to sleep in a crib on their backs on a firm mattress for baby development. When your kid is asleep, whether at night or during the day, you should always do this. You may continue doing this throughout your child’s first year of life.
- Get the proper cot
Choosing the ideal baby gear as well as a cot is crucial to provide newborns with a secure sleeping environment. The ideal cots will have bars that are spaced apart properly, be deep enough, and lack any cutouts or steps. Your infant shouldn’t be able to get trapped or damage themselves or their fragile baby clothes between the mattress and the frame. The mattress you choose should fit your cot properly and be firm, flat, and waterproof.
- Babies need noise
Use a white noise speaker or some music to maintain the sleep environment a little loud for your infant as they are used to sleeping with sound. Baby toys that make sounds are also good. This will be useful when you need your baby to fall asleep in a crowded area. It will also make your baby fall asleep more quickly because quiet may be frightening.
- A dark room helps in baby sleep
One of the key triggers that keeps your infant awake is light. By keeping sleeping places dark, you may help your infant develop a healthy circadian rhythm which is good for ideal baby health. Also, it teaches them the connection between darkness and bedtime. To help your infant relax in a dark atmosphere, buy a blackout blind and cover any LEDs.
- Keep cigarette smoke away from the baby
60% of SIDS incidents may be related to smoking near a newborn at home. Even if you haven’t smoked in the bedroom, it is advised that smokers and babies not share a bedroom. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is more likely to occur in babies exposed to tobacco, either before or after birth.
- Maintain a warm baby room temperature
The risk of SIDS increases when a baby is too hot or too cold. Sweating, redness, or moist hair are a few of the first warning signs that your infant is overheating. Remove a layer if your infant is too hot, or try putting them to sleep without blankets. Your baby’s hands and feet should feel chilly, but if they are blue or blotchy, it may be too cold for them. Add another layer if this is the case.
Wrapping Up!
Creating a safe sleep environment is crucial for your baby’s growth and development. Also, don’t forget to feed them healthy baby food. You may make your baby’s bedroom a secure and cozy place to sleep by following our advice. Check out our blog posts for more information about baby care and parenting!