The leading cause of injury-related death for infants under the age of one is by suffocation or strangulation in an adult bed. Studies show that the risk for infant death by suffocation is up to 40 times greater when placed in an adult bed than in a crib.
While the unknown causes that contribute to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) cannot be completely prevented, creating a safe sleep environment can protect your baby from suffocation and strangulation risk and decrease the likelihood of SIDS.
Safe sleep focuses on three critical areas, which the American Academy of Pediatrics refers to as the ABCs of Safe Sleep. Babies sleep safest Alone, on their Backs, and in Cribs. A safe sleep environment encompasses the following:
Do not put pillows, blankets, crib bumpers, toys, soft objects, or loose bedding in a baby’s sleeping area. It is also critical to ensure strings, like window blind cords, are far out of the baby’s reach.
In 1992, the American Academy of Pediatrics began recommending that all babies be placed on their backs to sleep. Deaths from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) drastically declined after this recommendation. “Back to sleep” should always be followed unless under direction from your child’s pediatrician.
Babies should never sleep in adult beds or on couches and recliners, with or without a caregiver. The Florida Department of Health's " Child Abuse Death Review Annual Report " found that a staggering 58.8% of infant sleep-related deaths in 2019 took place in an adult bed. Bed sharing is a common practice that can have tragic consequences. While some believe sleeping with their baby creates a special bond, the risk far outweighs the benefits.
Safe Sleep experts recommend keeping the child in the same room, close to the parental bed, in a crib, portable crib, or bassinet for at least the first year of life. Mattresses should be firm, and the only bedding should be a snug fitting sheet.
Beyond the ABCs of Safe Sleep, the American Academy of Pediatrics and other health experts recommend the following to reduce SIDS: breastfeeding, offering baby a pacifier, using portable cribs when traveling, keeping baby’s room cool, not smoking near baby, not letting baby get overheated, and ensuring caretakers follow all safe sleep rules.
As with every new skill your baby learns, falling asleep in a crib may take practice. Your baby may cry when first put in the crib. This is normal and should be expected. There are a lot of things you can do to help your baby settle down for bed and feel more comfortable sleeping in the crib. Every baby is unique, so you may need to try a few times before you figure out exactly what your baby likes best.
Ten Tips to Help you and Your Baby Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Why does my baby sleep for only a few hours at a time?
Newborns may sleep 10-18 hours a day, and they may wake to eat every 2 to 4 hours. By eight weeks old, your baby’s sleep may develop some sort of pattern.
When will my baby be able to sleep through the night?
Babies between 3 and 6 months of age need around 12-15 hours of sleep per day, which includes 2 to 4 naps during the day. Babies 6 months old and older are able to sleep through most of the night, but will still need 1 or 2 naps during the day, and many will need at least one nighttime feeding.
Will limiting naps during the day help my baby sleep better at night?
According to sleep research, regular naps during the day will improve your baby’s sleep during the night. When and how long a baby should nap varies from one baby to the next. As babies grow, they will take fewer and shorter naps until they reach 3-4 years of age.
For more information on healthy child development and safe infant sleep, visit www.ounce.org.
Streetlights or early morning sun coming through the window may wake a baby from sleep. Use dark colored shades over windows near your baby’s sleeping area.
A stuffy nose can cause a baby to wake up. Make sure your baby’s nose is clear before bedtime. Help your baby avoid congestion by dusting regularly and removing things that collect dust from the sleeping area. Keep your baby away from smoke, baby powder, hair spray, and paint fumes, which can all cause nasal congestion.
Teething pain can prevent your baby from sleeping. Check for drool stains on your baby’s sheet, drool rashes on your baby’s cheeks or chin, or swollen gums. Your doctor may recommend small doses of acetaminophen.
A wet diaper sometimes causes babies to wake up. Be sure to put your baby to bed with a dry diaper. If you use cloth diapers, consider layering two or three of them for naps and bedtime to reduce the feeling of wetness.
Allergic reactions to fabric, or the detergent or fabric softener used on the baby’s bedding or clothing, may be making your baby uncomfortable. If you see signs of skin irritation or other symptoms, change the bedding and switch laundry products.
For more information on healthy child development and safe infant sleep, visit www.ounce.org.
Developing babies can have restless nights as they are learning how to sit up, roll over, or walk. They can sometimes practice in their sleep! Your baby can get stuck sitting up because he doesn’t know how to lay himself back down yet. This can be fixed by teaching him how. During the day, sit your baby up, help your baby lay back down, and then encourage your baby to practice alone.
If you have tried all suggestions and your baby is still not sleeping well, talk to your baby’s doctor. There may be a medical reason for your baby’s restless nights. Tell your baby’s doctor if your baby:
"The safest place for an infant to sleep alone is in a crib, in the parents' room, for the first year of life."
~ The American Academy of Pediatrics
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden and unexplained death of a baby less than one year old. This is very scary for parents, but there are simple things you can do to lower the risk of infant death. Some parents believe sleeping with their baby will protect the baby from SIDS, but sleeping with a baby is dangerous and actually raises the risk of infant death.
Consider these facts before you decide where your baby will sleep:
To lower the risk of SIDS and suffocation and keep your baby safe while he or she sleeps, it is important to:
to put anything in your baby’s bed, such as sheepskins, stuffed animals, baby positioners, crib wedges, comforters, pillows, heavy blankets or bumper pads.
to smoke around your baby or in a room where your baby spends time.
to let your baby sleep on an adult bed, air mattress, beanbag, reclining chair, sofa, waterbed, or on any furniture not made for babies.
Even if your baby is breastfed and you don’t smoke, drink alcohol or use drugs or other medications sleeping with your baby still increases your baby’s risk of suffocation or strangulation while sleeping.
The only way to protect your baby from higher risk is to have your baby sleep in a crib.
Visit https://www.ounce.org/safe_sleep.aspx for more information and tips on helping babies fall asleep and stay asleep in their own safe space.
The bond between parent and child is one of the strongest connections in nature. Whether you’re a biological mom or dad, an adoptive parent or a stepparent, it is important for your child to form a strong bond with you. Luckily, children are already wired to bond with their caregivers.
Bonding Basics
Making your baby feel safe and loved is one of the most important building blocks to bonding with your child. Developing a trusting relationship with your baby is an important first step. Your baby will learn to trust you as you respond to his or her cries.
A daily routine for feeding, naps and bedtime will help your baby learn what to expect from his or her environment, which will also build trust. This brochure provides additional tips that can help you bond with your baby day and night.
What if I Don’t Feel a Strong Bond with my Baby?
Bonding doesn’t always happen within hours or days. Bonding is delayed in about 30 percent of mothers for a variety of reasons. Maybe your baby, or the birth process, wasn’t what you expected. Maybe you are disappointed, under a lot of stress, or simply exhausted.
Most parents will develop a strong attachment to their babies as they care for their babies’ needs over the first few months. Once parents get to know their babies, and adjust to this new addition, their feelings usually deepen. If you don’t feel that you’re bonding by the time you take your baby to his or her first doctor’s appointment, talk to the doctor about your concerns during the appointment.
Dad Tip
Since babies are comforted by scents associated with their mothers, dads may find it helpful to use the same lotion or shampoo as mom. Dads can also bring a shirt that mom has worn that day with them to feed during the night.
"The safest place for an infant to sleep alone is in a crib, in the parents' room, for the first year of life."
~ The American Academy of Pediatrics