How Old Should a Baby Be for a Sleep Sack?
Other People Are Reading
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Pediatricians' Recommendations
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Baby sleep sacks are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for newborn infants as a substitute for loose bedding and blankets. Sudden infant death studies have found that loose bedding and blankets can be hazardous to newborns and infants. The sleep sack is sleeveless with a zipper and requires one yard of cotton or fleece material. Commercial sleep sacks are sold in newborn, small, medium and large sizes.
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SIDS is Declining
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The American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Sudden Infant Death published a study in 2005 noting a 50-percent decline in crib deaths since 1992. The reason given is increased public awareness generated by the 1994 "Back to Sleep" campaign. The recommended sleep position for infants is on their backs.
Bottom Line
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A sleep sack is recommended because it reduces overheating of the infant while sleeping. More important, it reminds parents to place the infant on its back when sleeping because that's the best position for unobstructed breathing. According to a Philadelphia Business Journal article on April 13, 2010, sleep sacks are in and blankets are out at well baby and neonatal intensive care unit at Chester County Hospital and more than 250 hospitals around the country. The retail cost of a sleep sack is about $20 and the cost of a do-it-yourself pattern is less than $10.
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- Photo Credit newborn baby image by Diane Stamatelatos from Fotolia.com
