Skip the fancy crib bedding and choose ‘room sharing’ over ‘bed sharing’ for at least the baby’s first six months, says the AAPs latest safe sleep guidance for babies.
The reason for the new guidelines is simple — reduce sleep-related tragedies among babies (often called Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
About 3,500 infants die each year because of SIDS and the majority are babies younger than 6 months old. Rules like the ABCs of sleep (Alone, on his Back, and in a Crib) have come a long way in reducing deaths. But, over recent years, the number of tragedies has plateaued.
So now the new guidelines are looking more at where the baby is sleeping.
Why Crib Bedding Matters. Super soft mattress covers and blankets are a suffocation hazard which puts your baby at higher risk for SIDS. So, save your money on the cute bedding and put it in your baby’s college savings account instead!
‘Bed Sharing’ Isn’t Just the Bed. Every parent with a new baby is overwhelmed. You’re operating on very little sleep while still trying to get through your day. Feeding the baby in your bed seems like an okay idea when you’re sleep-deprived. Except that too often parents fall asleep with the baby in their arms. That puts your baby at risk for being smothered by pillows, comforters or another person.
And it’s not just your bed.
A comfy chair, couch or bed is a fine place to feed your baby. Just stay awake when you do so.
Consider ‘Room Sharing’ for six months. The reason the research suggests having your baby sleep in your room for the first six months is a little unclear. It might simply be because it’s easier to monitor your baby when he’s nearby.
Read the full policy here.
Check out other safe sleep tips here.
|babies, bed sharing, infants, room sharing, Safe Sleep 411 Pediatrics Infants
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