Preparing the nursery for your newborn is one of the most joyful milestones of pregnancy, filled with excitement and anticipation.
However, beyond selecting the perfect cot or colour scheme, ensuring baby sleep safety is paramount for your little one’s well-being.
In this guide, we’ll outline the essential sleep practices to help you create the safest sleeping arrangement possible for your baby.
The Importance of Sleep Safety for Babies
Adhering consistently to baby sleep safety guidelines is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), which refers to the unexplained death of an otherwise healthy baby during sleep.
As such, safety measures, such as maintaining a clutter-free environment and ensuring the correct sleeping position, are essential for your infant’s well-being during their early months.
8 Sleep Safety Tips for Your Baby
1. Lie Your Baby on Their Back
The safest baby sleep position is always on the back (supine). Placing your infant in the supine position keeps their airway clear and significantly reduces the risk of breathing obstructions.
Conversely, you should strictly avoid putting your baby to sleep on their tummy or side when they are unable to roll over both ways without help.
2. Sleep in the Same Room Without Bed-Sharing
Place the baby crib in your bedroom during the first six to twelve months. This proximity enables you to keep an eye on your baby.
However, avoid bed-sharing, as soft adult bedding and parental movement pose suffocation risks.
3. Choose a Firm Baby Cot Mattress
The baby cot mattress must be firm, flat, and fit snugly within the frame, leaving no gaps larger than two fingers.
This precise fit is vital for breathing safety, as it prevents your infant from becoming wedged or trapped in dangerous spaces between the mattress and the cot.
4. Remove Loose Objects from the Cot
For optimal baby cot safety, the space should contain nothing but your infant and a well-fitted sheet. Avoid placing objects like pillows, comforters, bumper pads, quilts, or soft toys inside the crib, as these loose objects increase the risk of entrapment, suffocation, and strangulation.
5. Breastfeed Your Baby
Research indicates that breastfeeding for at least two months can reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome by nearly half. Therefore, breastfeed or feed your baby expressed breast milk for at least 6 months to ensure protection.
That said, many new parents encounter challenges like engorgement or shallow latches when breastfeeding.
In such cases, private lactation consultants can provide valuable support, offering personalised breastfeeding strategies in the comfort of your home to help you establish a seamless, empowering nursing journey.
6. Keep Your Baby Smoke-Free
Exposure to smoke during and after pregnancy significantly increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Therefore, to protect your little one, ensure their entire environment remains completely smoke-free. This commitment to clean air supports healthy lung development and provides a much safer foundation for baby sleep safety throughout their early development.
7. Opt for Safe Sleepwear
Dress your baby in a lightweight, fitted sleeping bag or wearable blanket for sleep. In doing so, you ensure your little one stays comfortably warm without the danger of loose fabric accidentally covering their face and obstructing their breathing during the night.
8. Keep the Room at a Comfortable Temperature
The risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is higher in babies who overheat. As such, monitor your nursery to ensure it remains within the recommended range of 16°C to 20°C for babies.
Maintaining this temperature keeps your baby comfortable and helps them regulate their body heat effectively.
Building a Foundation for Restful Nights
Vigilance and consistency regarding baby sleep safety are essential pillars of newborn care, ensuring your infant has a protected space for rest.
At the same time, while creating a secure sleep environment is vital, caring for your newborn involves many other aspects, from nutritional support to soothing.
If you feel you could benefit from professional guidance and support, Flegen’s newborn care class is a valuable resource. Through practical demonstrations and hands-on practice, our experienced instructors equip you with the essential knowledge and techniques to care for your new arrival.
From feeding essentials to sleep strategies, the class empowers you to navigate every aspect of your baby's well-being. Contact us for a confident start in parenthood today!