Top Five Tips for Baby Crib Safety
Baby crib safety is crucial in keeping a baby safe. Scientists are finding more and more ways to ensure that when a baby sleeps, they are as safe as they can ever be. This can range from what position baby sleeps in to what baby has in their crib as they sleep. All these factors help to prevent SIDS and promote safe sleep.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is when a baby suddenly passes in their sleep within the first year of life. After six months, the chances of SIDS drops dramatically, after peaking between 2-4 months of age. The number of SIDS cases has dropped more than 50% since 1990, affecting about 2,300 babies per year. Though much has been done to prevent SIDS, there are still factors that can lead to SIDS.
The most common are:
Here is a list of the top five things parents should know when putting their little baby to sleep, as well as standard baby crib safety.
- Upper respiratory infection in infants.
- Suffocation or asphyxiation
- Secondhand smoke
- A neurological disorder
- An older/outdated crib
Here is a list of the top five things parents should know when putting their little baby to sleep, as well as standard baby crib safety.
1. Back is Best
Gone are the days of babies sleeping on their belly. To greatly reduce the chance of SIDS, experts recommend placing babies on their back to sleep. Once they reach the age that they are rolling, if they roll over at night, place them back on their back. This greatly prevents the risk of suffocation, and ensures their airways are open and not obstructed at all times.
2. Sleep Sacks & Swaddling
Experts recommend not allowing a blanket in baby’s crib until they are at least 12 months old. This greatly drops the risk of suffocation. Sleep sacks and swaddles prevent babies from pulling any fabric over their faces. Swaddles and sleep sacks both either velcro together or zip up to keep baby warm and snuggly during the night. Swaddles do not allow babies to keep their hands free while sleep sacks have arm holes. It is recommended you tightly swaddle your little one until they are at least three months in age, and then when they begin to roll independently, sleep sacks can be used.
3. Mesh Bumpers & Tight Crib Sheets
Along with swaddling babies, there should be nothing else in their crib as they sleep - this means stuffed animals, blankets, pillows, or toys of any sort. This greatly raises the chance of babies suffocating in their sleep. When placing bedding on a baby's crib, it is crucial that the bedding is on tightly with no gaps or slack, essentially no place for the baby to wiggle and get stuck. Crib sheets should be tight to the crib with no extra slack or fabric. To prevent babies from hitting their head on the crib, you should also consider mesh bumpers. These bumpers are breathable sheer fabric that wraps around the bars of the crib and reduces the risk of babies hitting their head on the hard wooden crib. It also reduces the chance of suffocation when the baby falls asleep or rolls against the bars of the crib.
4. Modern Crib
Though the idea of having your little one sleep in the crib you slept may be sweet, it is also a fairly dangerous idea. Cribs made 25 to 30 plus years ago are not made with the same materials as modern day, and do not do the same things as today’s cribs do. Years and years of research have been done to ensure that a baby's crib is safe and sound, and it's best to buy a newer crib that you can rely on rather than reusing your very old one.
5.Co-Sleeping
Under the age of 12 months, co-sleeping raises the risk of SIDS. However, when co-sleeping is done safely, it has been proven to be beneficial in terms of bonding. Do not co-sleep until the baby is at least a year old. Baby loungers do not reduce risks that are introduced via co-sleeping. If you are planning on keeping your little one close to you, finding a bedside bassinet is the best choice. This way, you are always near your little one, but they are safe and protected from suffocation.
Baby monitors are also great ways to ensure you can keep an eye on your little one at all times. Modern baby monitors not only allow you to hear what your little one is up to, but allow you to peek in on them at any time. Monitors like the Nanit and Owlet not only monitor your baby, but they track other factors, such as the room temperature, the baby’s oxygen level, and the baby’s heart rate. These tools provide peace of mind for parents during the night, but it should be kept in mind that these monitors do not prevent SIDS.
Sleep is as crucial in a baby's development as feedings are. These key tips will help you to keep your little one safe and sound as they sleep and grow.
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