To lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests the following guidelines when laying your baby down to sleep.
Provide proper bedding: a firm infant mattress free of pillows, stuffed animals or comforters that could block your baby's airway. Crib bumpers should be securely fastened to the bars.
Step2
Lay your newborn down on his back, not his stomach. Research suggests that this position may lower the risk of SIDS.
Step3
Ask your pediatrician about alternate sleeping positions if your baby was a preemie who experienced respiratory distress or if your baby has a gastroesophageal reflux.
Step4
Consider purchasing a newborn sleep pillow to keep your baby from rolling from his back or side to his stomach. Discuss this idea with your doctor.
Step5
Avoid covering your baby with a blanket. Instead, put him in a sleeper suit that will keep him warm without blankets.
Tips & Warnings
Placing a baby on his back, even after a feeding, will not increase the risk of choking on spit-up food.
Make sure your crib meets safety standards: Bars shouldn't be wider than 2 3/8 inches apart, and no gaps should exist between the mattress and the frame.
Comments
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 I find with my little god-daughter that if I put my vaporizer in the room and plug it in she goes right off to sleep...