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What’s BEST when they REST?

You may be asking yourself if your baby will ever sleep through the night. The answer is yes, but did you know that light sleeping for a baby is safer? Light sleepers are at a reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome [SIDS]. Babies who wake often are more aware of their surroundings!

Do you know the ABCs to safe sleeping for your baby?

A Alone: Place your baby without anything else with them while they sleep. No stuffed animals, blankets, pillows, etc.  

  • Pillows increase the risk of SIDS by three times.  
  • Don’t allow siblings or pets to sleep with your baby. 


B
Back to Sleep: Babies who sleep on their back are at much lower risk for SIDS.  

  • Ensure all caregivers ALWAYS put your baby on their back. Babies who usually sleep on their backs and then are placed on their tummies are at greater risk for SIDS.  
  • Tummy time is AWAKE time to build neck, arm and back muscles.
  • Babies who sleep on their tummy are at risk of suffocation.
  • Babies who spit up are still safer on their backs! On their backs, they naturally cough or swallow fluid.  

CCrib or Cradle: Your baby should sleep near you, but not in the same bed as you. Your baby should sleep in a crib that meets safety standards. This includes… 

  • bare, flat, firm mattress (shouldn’t be able to press down more than a ¼ inch) – items used to soften the mattress increase the risk of suffocation  
  • fitted sheet 
  • no more than two fingers between the mattress and crib 
  • no bumper pads 
  • crib bars no more than 6 cm apart 
  • no loose/missing parts!
  • for current standards visit https://www.canada.ca/ to search cribs, cradles and bassinettes


Additional ways to prevent SIDS
:

  • Do NOT smoke or allow others to smoke around your baby. Breastfeed your baby if possible. Breastmilk contains antibodies which helps strengthen your baby’s immune system and prevents infections which have been linked to increasing the risk of SIDS. 
  • Do NOT overdress your baby. Your baby’s extremities (hands and feet) are going to be colder than the rest of the body, so don’t panic if they feel cooler. If you would be too hot, so are they!
  • Pacifier usage while sleeping is linked to a lower risk of SIDS. Wait until breastfeeding is well established to offer one. Never force your baby or dip the pacifier in anything to entice him or her.

If you have questions about yourself or your baby, call to speak with a health unit nurse – 519-663-5317.

 

References and Additional Information

Canadian Pediatric Society. (2021). Safe sleep for babies

https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/pregnancy-and-babies/safe_sleep_for_babies

Government of Canada. (2021). Safe sleep.

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/childhood-adolescence/stages-childhood/infancy-birth-two-years/safe-sleep.html

Middlesex-London Health Unit. (2021). Safe sleep

https://www.healthunit.com/safe-sleep

 

Kessa Dunlop, WFN-4 student for the Middlesex-London Health Unit

 

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