Is your baby sleeping safely? Parent's guide

Is your baby sleeping safely? Parent's guide
You would be surprised to know that many babies die unexpectedly and suddenly while sleeping. This generally happens because of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) or accidental deaths from strangulation or suffocation. If you are worried about the safety of your baby while he or she sleeps, you should ask for skin-to-skin care advice from the best developmental pediatrician in Hyderabad. You should ask for recommendations on how to create a safe sleeping environment for your baby.

Make sure your baby sleeps on his or her back for at least the first year
It is known that the likeliness of death from SIDS is higher among babies who sleep on their sides or stomach than those who sleep on their backs. If a baby sleeps on his or her side, it can easily roll onto its stomach. Parents might worry that their babies might choke while sleeping on their back, but the gag reflex and airway anatomy of the baby prevents that from happening.
As soon as a baby is born, he or she must be placed for skin to skin contact with the mother for at least the first hour. Beyond that, the newborn can be placed in the bassinet on their backs. In the case of preterm births, the baby might have to be placed on their stomachs for a while because of breathing problems. However, once the problem resolves, they should be kept on their backs so they get used to the position before they go home.
Babies might roll onto the stomach. You should always try placing your baby on the back. If your baby comfortably rolls both ways, you don’t have to return him or her to the back. You should make sure there are no pillows, blankets, bumper pads, or stuffed toys around the baby. If the baby rolls into such items, it could block their airflow.
If the baby falls asleep in a stroller, car seat, infant carrier, sling, or swing, they should be moved to a firm sleeping surface on their backs.

Use firm sleeping surfaces
It is recommended to use cribs, bassinets, or play yards that meet the required safety standards. You should use fitted sheets and firm mattresses for the product you use. You should not keep anything else in the crib other than your baby. The sleeping surface must be firm and not indent when the baby lies on it.

Bring your baby into the bed only for comforting and feeding
If you have brought your baby into your bed, make sure you place them back in their sleeping space, particularly before you fall asleep yourself. If there is a chance that you might fall asleep before putting your baby back, you should make sure there are no blankets, sheets, pillows, or any such items that might cover your baby’s head, neck, and face.

Avoid bed-sharing
The best pediatrician in Hyderabad recommends avoiding sharing the bed with your baby. It can be typically dangerous in specific situations. Bed-sharing with your baby must be avoided if:

The baby was born with low birth weight or prematurely.
The baby is not older than 4 months
You or any other individual in the bed smokes
The baby’s mother smoked while she was pregnant
You have taken any drugs or medications that could make it difficult for you to wake up
You consumed alcohol
The bed surface is soft, such as an old mattress, waterbed, etc.

Keep the baby’s sleeping area in your room
This should be done for at least 6 months and even up to a year. Try to have your baby’s bassinet, play yard, or crib close to your own bed. Sharing a room is much safer than sharing a bed and it reduces the risk of SIDS. Sharing a room makes it easier for you to keep a watch on your baby and feed and comfort them.

Beware of objects you keep in the baby’s sleeping area
Loose bedding, soft objects, or any other objects that might increase the risk of suffocation, strangulation, or entrapment should be kept out of the sleeping area of the baby. This includes pillows, comforters, quilts, sheepskins, toys, blankets, or bumper pads. Use infant sleep clothing if you are worried that your child might be getting cold.
To know more, contact Rainbow Children’s Hospital which has the best paediatricians in town.