Most infant deaths happen during sleep. While the causes Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) aren’t clearly known, research findings indicate that most babies die in their sleep due to suffocation, following inappropriate sleeping postures. Therefore, as you feed the baby and change their diapers to keep them comfortable, it’s essential to let them lie in the right sleeping positions.
It’s worth noting that the baby depends on you for everything, and they’re not able to turn in their sleep whenever they feel uncomfortable. Whether someone is helping you to look after them or you’re doing it by yourself, it’s important to know some of the safety tips for sleeping toddler.
Here are some you should know about.
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1. Let The Baby Sleep On Their Back
The safest sleeping position for babies below one year is the back. Babies who sleep on their sides or tummies are at high risk of dying of SIDS or fatal sleeping accidents. According to health experts, an infant who sleeps on their belly gets less oxygen or expels less Carbon dioxide due to the bedding blocking their nose opening. Since they still can’t move on their own, they’re not able to turn in case they experience any kind of distress. In that case, they’ll remain in that position and may die in their sleep.
By the 4th to 6th month, the baby can roll over to find their favourite sleeping position. Even then, be sure to let them lie on their back. While you may have lots of other things to attend to, it’s essential to keep an eye on the little one while they take a nap. Be there to turn them in case they change their sleeping position and also ensure nothing is blocking their nose.
2. Avoid Pillows For Now
Complete bedding includes a pillow and other essentials, but children below one year don’t need one. While a fluff headrest might feel for your baby, the truth is, they don’t need it. If anything, it’s putting their lives in danger and you should avoid such things by all means. Even though it’s scary to imagine, soft bedding items, including pillows can cause suffocation and consequently increase the risk of SIDS.
There are several fancy children’s pillows and blankets in the bub shops, but keep away the pillows for now. You can just buy them and wait until your child grows into a toddler. Meanwhile, all you need is a firm crib mattress and nicely fitting crib sheets. It may look like sleeping on a flat surface is uncomfortable for the young one but it’s the safest option.
Also, make sure the crib is built to strict Australian safety standards to ensure your baby is safe. Cribs that don’t meet the safety requirements may possess several risks, including wide gaps that children could get trapped in, lead paint, and sides that are too low, which children can climb over.
3. Share A Room With Your Baby
As a parent, you need to respond to your child’s need on time. In case they’re experiencing any kind of discomfort, you should be there to help them. While you may be tempted to have the young one sleep in another room if your bedroom feels a little squeezed, it’s advisable to have them within arm’s reach. All you need to do is get a cot for them and put it beside your bed. It’s not only safe for them but makes it easier for you to feed them and change their diapers deep in the night.
However, even as you share a room with your little one, ensure you follow the necessary precautions. The cot or bassinet shouldn’t be placed in a crowded place in the bedroom to make sure there’s proper air circulation. Don’t hang things like clothes on the crib rails or have blankets or fluffy materials in your child’s sleeping space. And to keep the area from leaks and stains, you can get stylish changing pads to use during diaper changing.
4. Don’t Lay Your Baby To Sleep On Couches
To most parents, couches are the most convenient spots to put the baby while in the living room talking to people or watching television. However, it’s not safe to put your baby to sleep on a sofa. Children sleeping on couches can easily roll over to their sides and end up facing the pillow, which can lead to suffocation.
If you want to have your baby around in the living room, you can get a portable crib for them. Let them sleep there even as you catch up with friends or go about other activities. Alternatively, you can have a bassinet that remains in the living room and a crib in the bedroom. It’s up to you provided the child doesn’t sleep on a soft surface.
5. Avoid Bed-Sharing
While it’s so tempting to sleep with your baby, you’re advised not to take this direction. It may seem so tiring to try to get the little one to sleep every time they wake up that the best solution would be to bring them into bed with you. However, bed-sharing is one of the leading causes of SIDS.
For a really tired and deep-sleeping parent, chances of rolling over onto your baby are very high, and this can lead to suffocation. Your baby could also fall off the bed and end up getting hurt. For their safety, be sure to have separate sleeping space for them.
You love your child so much, right? Therefore, ensure you observe safety sleeping requirements to keep them alive and strong.