When you become a new mother or father , sleep is a bit of a distant thing, isn't it? That's why we all want our little one to sleep soundly, comfortably, and safely at night. We do everything we can to make that happen. You might be thinking, wrap your baby in a nice, soft blanket to keep him warm and cozy. But is that really a good thing? Let's talk about this today.
The most important thing is that it is not advisable to put anything like blankets, pillows, or toys in the crib until the baby is one year old (12 months old) . This is because the risk of accidental suffocation is very high if these things accidentally cover the baby's nose and mouth.
How to give your baby a safe sleep?
A blanket may seem harmless at first glance, but it can be dangerous for a small baby. Anything that can cover a baby's face is a risk to his life. That's why we need to be aware of a condition called Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). This is the risk of a healthy baby dying in their sleep for no apparent reason. This is the leading cause of death in babies under 12 months of age.
But the good news is that research has found that there are simple things we can do to reduce the risk of SIDS . To help you remember this, there is a simple method that the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) has introduced. It is called the 'ABC' method .
| ABC method | What does that mean? |
|---|---|
| A - Alone | A baby should sleep alone. That means not sleeping in the same bed with mom, dad, or siblings. Another meaning of "alone" is that you should not put anything in the baby's crib, such as blankets, pillows, dolls, toys, or crib bumpers. |
| B - Back (upside down) | The best position to put a baby to sleep is on their back. There is a risk of suffocation when they sleep on their stomach or side. This is because if they have difficulty breathing in those positions, the baby does not yet have the strength to turn their head. |
| C - Crib | Your baby should sleep on a flat, hard surface designed for babies. For example, a crib, bassinet, or playpen. Do not sleep on a bouncer or swing. |
One more thing to remember. While it's best to let your baby sleep in a separate crib, experts recommend keeping the crib in your room for at least 6 months, and preferably a year . When you're with your baby, you can quickly hear and help if he's having trouble.
What can be used instead of a blanket?
Okay, now you're probably wondering, "How do you keep your baby warm on a cold night without a blanket?" There are good solutions for that.
- Footie Pajamas: These are clothes that cover the baby's body as well as his legs. These are great for cold days.
- Swaddle: Swaddling is when a baby is wrapped in a cloth and wrapped in it. This gives the baby a warm, secure feeling, just like being in the mother's womb. But the most important thing is to stop swaddling as soon as the baby starts rolling over on his own. Then his hands are free, so it's easier to remove anything that gets near his face.
- Weighted Blanket: Never use weighted blankets on a small baby for any reason. They are designed for people with other medical needs, not for small babies.
Other things to consider for baby safety while sleeping
We need to be careful not only about blankets, but also about several other things to ensure the safety of our baby's sleep.
Baby sleeping position
As we said before, always put your baby to sleep on his back . But once he gets a little older and starts rolling over on his own, he may start rolling over on his stomach or side while sleeping. If that happens, you don't have to get up in the middle of the night to turn him back over. Rolling over on his own means he has the strength to turn his head if needed.
The nature of the sleeping surface
The mattress your baby sleeps on should be firm and flat . Avoid putting your baby to sleep on soft mattresses, sofas, or water mattresses. Press the mattress firmly with your hand. It should feel firm, without sinking in.
Room temperature
Even though we try to keep our baby warm, it's not good to let him get too hot . That also increases the risk of SIDS. So, dress your baby appropriately for the weather. On a hot day, if you put both a pair of footie pajamas and a swaddle on, your baby may sweat and become uncomfortable.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeed your baby whenever possible. Breastfeeding is not only the best nutrition for your baby, it also boosts your baby's immunity and protects them from illness, especially respiratory infections. Healthy lungs mean you can breathe better.
Using a pacifier
Research has shown that babies who suck on a pacifier while sleeping have a lower risk of SIDS. However, the pacifier you give your baby needs to be safe. It should have a wide base, otherwise it could get stuck in the mouth.
Avoiding smoking
Smoking around babies is very dangerous. The smoke that comes out when someone smokes and is inhaled by the baby is called second-hand smoke . Also, the smoke particles that are left on the clothes of the smoker, the walls of the house, and the furniture are called third-hand smoke . Since babies' lungs are very sensitive, both of these greatly increase the risk of SIDS.
Take-Home Message
- Do not put anything in your baby's crib, such as blankets, pillows, or toys, until he is one year old (12 months old) .
- Always place your baby on his or her back while sleeping.
- The surface on which the baby sleeps should be hard and flat .
- Put your baby to sleep in your room, but not in your bed . Use a separate crib for your baby.
- Use clothes like a sleep sack or footie pajamas instead of blankets to keep your baby warm.
- If you have any doubts or questions about any of this, be sure to ask your doctor for advice.
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