Bringing home a new baby represents a big adjustment and can feel overwhelming for parents, particularly when it comes to safety.
While certain statistics may be alarming — there are approximately 3,600 sudden and unexpected infant deaths each year in the U.S., according to the latest government statistics — parents can find comfort in knowing that following safe sleep practices can go a long way in prevention, experts say.
The three commonly reported types of such infant deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation, and strangulation in bed, and deaths from unknown causes.
October is SIDS Awareness Month and the perfect time to understand the differences between SIDS and suffocation — and, more importantly, to learn the best safe sleep practices.
While not every infant death is preventable, there are ways to reduce risks, especially regarding suffocation during sleep.
• Always place babies on their backs to sleep, both for naps and overnight. The vomiting reflex and the baby’s anatomy will help prevent choking, unlike babies who sleep on their stomachs or sides.
• Babies should always sleep on firm surfaces, such as a mattress in a properly approved crib or bassinet, covered by a fitted sheet, not a blanket. This reduces the risk of suffocation and SIDS.
• Keep pillows and other soft objects out of your baby’s sleep area. Pillows, loose bedding, and stuffed toys can increase the risks of suffocation.
• Do not sleep with your baby in the same bed. The baby can sleep in your room, but not in an adult bed or in a chair or sofa. Sharing a bed can pose a risk of strangulation, suffocation, or trapping the baby between objects. Sharing a room (not a bed) can reduce the risk of SIDS by up to 50 percent, according to the CDC.
• Never allow smoking near your baby, as this is a significant risk factor for SIDS.
Proper sleep products are an essential part of keeping your baby safe. Many experts emphasize the importance of choosing a firm and breathable crib mattress.
Most conventional waterproof mattresses are covered with waterproof covers that prevent air circulation and increase the risk of suffocation, while a breathable alternative allows the baby to breathe safely even if they roll during sleep. For example, the revolutionary design of the Newton Crib Mattress allows a baby to breathe directly through it. An independent, blinded scientific study showed that a baby receives 97 percent more air when breathing through a Newton mattress than on a traditional crib mattress. More information is available at www.newtonbaby.com.
“As a pediatrician and a mother, knowing my baby was sleeping safely on a breathable mattress gave me total peace of mind and brought better sleep for all of us,” says Dr. Deena Blanchard, a New York-based pediatrician and mother.
While you can’t protect your baby from everything, it is important to reduce the risks you can, and creating a safe sleep environment is a great start.
Source: StatePoint