Safe Infant Sleep

Over 20 years of studies have identified numerous risk factors for SIDS, resulting in a long list of safety guidelines for new parents.

Today parents are told to place the baby on his back in a crib that meets crib standards, preferably in the parents’ room until the baby is six months old. The biggest risk factor with other soft furnishings is a cluttered crib. Some babies who died of SIDS were found with their beads covered. That led to the advice to avoid duvets, and heavy blankets. And it is very important that the crib is not overcrowded. It makes sense to follow the expert consensus to keep pillows and stuffed toys out of the crib.

Put your baby on her back for sleep from birth. More recent research shows that the biggest reduction in risk of SIDS is from back sleeping. The only reason for a baby not to sleep on her back would be due to certain health, or when she gets to the age when she can roll over onto her tummy by herself and seems to prefer that. If you feel that your baby simply cannot sleep on her back, it’s best to talk it over with a health professional.

High percent of SIDS deaths now occur in babies whose mothers smoked during pregnancy. Exposure to second-hand smoke in the first months of life also increases the risk. Get help to quit if you or your partner is smoker. Second hand smoke is harmful for anyone, particularly baby. Don’t let anyone else smoke around the baby either.

Many experts believe that breastfeeding probably reduces the risk of SIDS, but the evidence has been too ambiguous to draw firm conclusions. The bottom line is for a small number of babies, breastfeeding probably does reduce the risk of SIDS, but there are more important reasons to breastfeed.

The idea of room sharing is not controversial. It was easy to advise parents to have babies in their room for the first six months. Research shows that baby who died of SIDS were less likely than other babies to be given slept in a crib or bassinet in their parents’ room on the night they died. If a crib or newborn bassinet fits in your room, go for it.

Lots of parents share a bed with their babies. For some, it’s part of their parenting philosophy. For others, it’s a convenience. Sharing bed is risky in the context of other risk factors, especially smoking, alcohol and illegal drugs. If you’re a non-smoking, sober breast feeder with firm mattress, and you take sensible precautions to make sure your baby is protected from falls, getting her head covered by blankets or pillows, and getting wedged between the mattress and bed frame or walls, whether or not you share a bed with your baby is your call.

SIDS – Sudden infant death syndrome

Gift for Baby

Gifts for Baby:  Baby Gift Baskets, Diaper Cake, Personalized Baby Gifts