New parents will want to consider some important baby sleep safety tips in order to keep their infant safe at nighttime and during naps. There are many tips to consider for keeping a sleeping infant safe. In particular, the American Academy of Pediatrics has several recommendations and guidelines to help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Also, there are ways to limit infant choking and fire hazards.
Baby Sleep Safety Tips
Several general guidelines for safe sleeping are important for parents to take into account when putting their babies to sleep. Here is a list of baby sleep safety tips to follow:
- No smoking – Do not allow smoking in the baby room
- Warm baby – Keep baby warm but do not over bundle
- Firm mattress – Mattress should be firm, not soft (see crib safety below)
- No pillows, blankets, or sheets – Crib should be free of all items that may smother or choke baby
- No tummy sleeping – Keep baby on back in crib whenever possible
- Flame-Resistant pajamas – Sleepwear should be tight fitting or flame resistant
- Smoke detector in baby room – Make sure that the smoke detector is working
- No toys – With the exception of a small soft stuffed animal when baby is over 4 months old
- No bumper pads
- Use baby monitor products
- Keep electronic toys, nightlights away from baby
- Keep baby away from curtain pull cords, pacifier ties, etc.
- Check on sleeping baby – The crib is the safest place for a baby to sleep. If the infant falls asleep elsewhere, keep an eye on her to be sure she is safe
- Keep pets out of baby room while sleeping
- If possible, breastfeed – Breast milk provides added protection from SIDS
- No more than one baby per crib
Daycare Safety: Is Baby Safe Sleeping at a Daycare Center?
All of the above baby sleep safety tips should be followed at home. However, many parents need to consider daycare for their infants and young children as well. Check the policies of the daycare center, and make sure that these important infant safety guidelines above are adhered to in any child care setting in which the baby will be sleeping.
Crib Safety
Selecting a crib that is safe for the baby is of utmost concern to parents. Federal safety regulations for crib safety change periodically. Parents should always avoid using outdated cribs, and consult the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website for recalls and product safety alerts. General crib safety rules can be found in the article Crib Safety Tips.
Co-Sleeping Precautions
Recently, the CPSC has recommended against co-sleeping practices at home with baby due to the potential hazards and risks. However, some parents and professionals still believe that co-sleeping has its benefits. If co-sleeping is being considered, check Co-Sleeping Safety Tips for the appropriate co-sleeping precautions and safety information.
There are many precautions and safety guidelines that parents of new infants need to consider to keep their babies safe while sleeping. The above baby sleep safety tips will help parents protect their youngsters from SIDS, fire, and choking hazards at home or in the day care setting. In the long run, following these simple safety tips will keep infants safe while sleeping, and allow parents to sleep more soundly themselves.
Parents may also be interested in How to Get Baby to Sleep Through the Night.
Sources:
Cohen, George J., M.D., F.A.A.P., American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Your Child’s Sleep. NY: Villard Books, 1999.
Pantley, Elizabeth, The No-Cry Sleep Solution. NY: Contemporary Books, 2002.
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