sleeP like a baby / by Alexandra E. King

sleep like a baby

When the baby sleeps correctly, parents can sleep more easily

by Alex A ndr A e . King

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and accidental suffocation are the leading causes of death in babies 1 month to 12 months. The true cause of SIDS is unknown, but there are ways to help reduce the risk of SIDS and provide your baby with their own safe sleep environment.

“An extremely critical public health message for the last 25 years is ‘Back to Sleep,’” says Melissa Krall, Coordinator of Safe Kids Washoe County. “This means that babies are to be placed on their backs to sleep, every time.”

Safe Kids Washoe County is an organization that runs the statewide “Cribs for Kids” initiative to raise awareness of safe sleep for babies. Krall, who is also the director of Community Outreach for REMSA, is on a mission to educate folks on the importance of safe sleep.

Other ways parents can reduce the risks of SIDS before and after childbirth include avoiding exposure to smoke, drugs and alcohol during and after pregnancy, attending all prenatal checkups and breastfeeding. Providing a safe sleep environment is vital to avoid suffocation or smothering the baby and to protect the baby from a fall.

“The steps you take that help prevent SIDS are the same steps you take to safely sleep your child,” Krall said. “It’s the same set of rules. If you are following the rules to prevent SIDS, you are safely sleeping your baby.”

Babies need their own sleep surface. This means they are sleeping alone on a firm mattress in a crib or portable crib. Also, parents must make sure there are no extra things in the crib like bedding, pillows or toys. Bumper pads are not recommended and babies should wear a single-layer of clothing to avoid over-heating. The baby’s blanket should not be placed higher than their breastbone.

Krall explained the hazards of co-sleeping with other adults, siblings or animals. “We recommend room sharing if the baby has their own sleeping environment,” Krall said. “It can be in the same proximity as the parents but not where they are in the same bed as an adult or sibling. An alarming statistic is the number of children who died while co-sleeping with an adult.”

About one in five SIDS deaths occur while the child is in the care of someone other than a parent. A child who is unaccustomed to tummy sleep is 18 times more likely to die from SIDS. Parents should take time to talk to their children’s caregivers about the environment and sleep positions. This is not to suggest that tummy time isn’t a good thing for babies. “It is excellent for their overall neck development and strength,” Krall said, “but this should happen during awake time.”

The “Cribs for Kids” group promotes safe sleep. They provide families with education on the importance of safe sleep practices and provide cribs to families who cannot otherwise afford a safe place for their babies to sleep.

“We ask that families share this information with everyone they contact, including their caregivers and family members,” Krall said. “Talk with siblings and grandparents in case they are left looking after the baby for any reason. Education is vital in keeping babies safe.”

DOs

Sleep your baby on his or her back every sleep time. Use a firm sleep surface. Cover the baby with a baby blanket up to their breastbone. Sleep in the same room as the baby with the baby safely in their own crib. Do receive regular prenatal care check-ups. Breastfeeding is recommended. Use a pacifier at nap time and bedtime. Do keep the room at room temperature. Do vaccinate you child with all the recommended infant vaccinations. Do have supervised, daily tummy time with your baby. Swaddling is recommended so long as the baby sleeps on their back. Talk about safe sleep practices with everyone who cares for your baby.

DON’ts

Do not co-share your bed with your baby. Do not take a nap on the sofa with your baby. Do not put your baby to sleep in a car seat as their regular sleep environment. Do not allow sibling or animals to sleep in the same bed as your baby. Do not keep toys, adult bedding, pillows or blankets in the crib. Do not smoke during pregnancy or after birth. Do not cover the infants face. Do not overheat the baby by over dressing at bedtime. Do not use home monitors of commercial devices that suggest they reduce the risk of SIDS.

Guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

Melissa Krall

Director of Community Outreach REMSA