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Back to Sleep - A Safe Sleep Environment
Placing an infant to sleep on his or her back has been known to reduce the risk of sudden infant death for many years. Unfortunately, many parents and health professionals have not heard this message or are using the side sleep position because they believe this position is just as safe as back sleeping. Back sleeping is a learned behavior. Babies learn to sleep in the position they are placed from birth. It is very important to start Back Sleep immediately! Of course, everyone loves to hold and cuddle a new baby, often on your shoulder. Remember- baby is sleeping on their tummy. Instead cuddle and love your baby but once they fall asleep, flip then into the crook of your arm on their back. For parents struggling with getting their infants to sleep on their backs; never give up! Your baby will learn to sleep on their backs! The crib should meet the safety standards provided by Health Canada. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/cons/cribs-lits_enfants_e.htm Sleep your babies on their back on a mattress that is firm, flat, well fitting and clean. The outside of the mattress should waterproof, like PVC. The mattress should fit the crib snugly with no gaps. The mattress should be new but if you are using a used mattress it must be in good condition. Check it for tears or rips, molds and firmness. If you place the baby on the mattress and his head depresses more than a ½ inch, it should be discarded. Cover the mattress with a single cotton sheet. If you are using a blanket to cover baby, use lightweight blankets, crocheted or knitted in light baby yarn are great. You can also use a sleep wrap such as Bug in Rug. (http://www.buginarug.info/default.asp?ID=02&catID=1687&pagetype=productlist ) Never use a hot water bottle, electric blanket or heating pad for a baby. The safest place for your baby’s crib is in the parent’s bedroom for at least the first six months. If this is not possible, place the crib in the next bedroom. Do not place the crib near a heater, electrical outlets or in direct sunlight. (see the ABC’s of Safe Sleep for more information) Never use duvets, quilts, comforters, wedges, bedding rolls or pillows. The crib must be clutter free- Wedges can be very dangerous as babies have wiggled down in between the wedges and have suffocated. You must make sure your baby’s head remains uncovered while sleeping. Babies whose heads become covered with bedding, accidentally while sleeping, are at an increased risk of SIDS. In the hospital, a baby wears a hat after birth to help regulate body temperature. Once your baby is released from the hospital, they no longer need a hat indoors. When Babies Roll to their Tummies... At about 5 months of age, many babies begin to roll from their backs to their tummies. This is normal growth and development and you should not try to prevent this from happening. Tummy time should be increased so baby associates sleep with back and play with tummy. (see Tummytime for play section) Parents should start by placing babies on their backs to sleep. If the baby rolls onto its tummy, parents need not flip them back… Some tips to keeping baby on their back are:
The MOST IMPORTANT point to remember is when they roll, they do so in a safe sleep environment - free from soft bedding, pillows, stuffed toys and other objects Additional Advantages of Back Sleeping… Studies have shown that babies who sleep on their back:
Never sleep on a sofa, couch, or loveseat with your baby. Babies have become entrapped between the side of the couch and a parent and have suffocated. Overheating becomes an issue. In 2005- 21 of 26 babies who died in Ontario unexpectantly, died in an unsafe sleep environment. To view this report click here http://www.ontca.ca/images/stories/PDRC_FINAL_2007.pdf
Bumper Pads- CFSID does not recommend the use of bumper pads because they pose a risk of strangulation, suffocation and entrapment. Please see Health Canada for more information: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/legislation/pol/bumper-bordure_e.htmlFor sleep position research. Used with permission
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