When it comes to babies, a lot of things have to be taken care of to ensure that their inability to speak about their needs does not come in the way of their comfort. Even when it comes to sleep, you need to be careful as a parent to ensure that your baby can have the utmost comfort as he / she catches those precious forty winks. Here is how your baby needs to sleep, to be able to sleep well.
Make your baby sleep on the back
Some studies recommend that when babies sleep on their stomachs, they get less oxygen. Their bodies are unable to expel CO2 as efficiently as when they sleep on their back. While sleeping on bellies, infants breathe in the same air from a tiny bedding pocket surrounding the noise.
A few studies show that infants dying from SIDS suffer from underdeveloped brain areas – possibly those areas which make them unable to wake up and get themselves away from suffocation due to bedding pockets and other risks. It is impossible to determine which babies are unable to wake up normally. Thus, it is better to make your infant sleep on his / her back.
Choose a firm surface for sleeping
It is important to make your little one sleep on a mattress that is slightly firm, and not too soft. Buy a crib mattress that has been approved for its safety, and ensure that a fitted sheet covers it. Never put down your baby for sleep over sheepskins, quilts, pillows and other soft surfaces.
Ensure that the sleeping surface is clean
It is essential to ensure that your baby sleeps on a clear, clean surface. In other words, there should not be any crib bumper, sheepskin, quilt, blanket, pillow, toy or soft object.
Make your infant sleep in a separate area
Put your baby down to sleep in a small bed that is close to yours, but separate. While you can make your little one sleep with you in the same room, you should not make him sleep on an armchair, couch or bed with other kids or adults. Rather, you need to have him / her sleep in a cradle, crib, bassinet or a co-sleeper by the side of your own bed.
Ensure perfect room temperature
Monitor the room temperature where you would make your baby sleep. It should be neither too cold nor too hot. Keep in mind that you should not put your small one close to open windows, heating or air-conditioning vents or any other draft source.
Do not use blankets for cover
It is important to ensure that your baby is covered by a sleep sac or a one-piece sleeper, rather than blankets, given that the former are safer alternatives. A blanket might choke your little one and make it impossible for him / her to get rid of it in case it becomes uncomfortable.
Use a pacifier
Studies have proven that the risks of SIDS can be reduced with pacifiers. However, if your baby does not want it, do not stress on using the same.