Creating a safe sleeping environment for your baby is one of your top priorities. For the first six months of your baby's life, the safest place for them to sleep is in your room in a Moses Basket, Bassinet, or Co-sleep bed near your bed.
How to Inspect Your New or Second-hand Crib
Whether you bought your baby's crib brand new or used, you should inspect it thoroughly before putting your baby to sleep. Some things to look at include:
- Make sure the crib has at least 20 inches from the top of the crib sides to the top of the mattress.
- The crib's slats should be between 1 and 2½ inches apart to keep your baby safe from getting limbs stuck between the slats.
- The mattress should be flat and firm, fitting in the crib snugly.
How to Keep Your Baby Safe in His Crib
To reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), you always want to put your baby to sleep on his back.
Avoid putting loose blankets, toys, and stuffed animals in the crib with your baby. If you feel your baby may get cold, either swaddle your baby snugly or put him in a sleep sack.
When your baby is in the crib, always keep the crib's drop-side up and locked. Our functional braided crib bumper is designed to protect your baby in the crib! Never leave a bottle in the crib with your baby unsupervised. Babies choke easily, even if it's just milk.
The Safest Temperature for My Baby's Room?
Most experts recommend keeping your baby's room temperature between 68° and 72°F (20° to 22.2°C). Your baby is more vulnerable to SIDS if they become overheated. Here are a few tips to help your baby stay comfortable and not overheated:
- Invest in either a room thermometer or a baby monitor that also displays the room temperature.
- Never put an electric blanket or a hot water bottle in the crib with your baby.
- Don't put the crib near heaters, radiators, or direct sunlight.
- You can also use a fan to keep your baby cool, just be sure that the fan is not near the baby's crib.
Keeping Baby Safe During Daytime Naps
Regardless of whether your baby is sleeping during the day or at night, you should still follow the same advice:
- Put your baby to sleep on his back on a firm, flat surface.
- Do not use the car seat as a bed for your baby. If your baby falls asleep in his car seat, take him out as soon as you get home and put him in his crib, bassinet, or Mose basket.
- Never let your baby sleep in the car unattended for any reason.
How to Safely Co-Sleep with Baby
Co-sleeping has gained popularity over the past decades. Some parents bring the baby to bed with them at night. Others only do it during the day for nap time. Here are a few safety tips for keeping baby safe while co-sleeping:
- Your mattress needs to be firm and fit snugly again the bed frame, ensuring there are no gaps for your baby to fall into.
- Don't leave your baby in your bed alone.
- Remove the pillows and bedding from around your baby to prevent him from smothering or getting too hot.
- Lay on your side, curled around your baby facing him. Place the arm on the mattress above your baby's head and bring your knees up under the baby's feet. This position will keep you from rolling backward or forwards.
- Do not fall asleep with the baby in an armchair or sofa. The gaps in the cushions could smother your baby.
- Don't put your baby in your bed if you or your partner has consumed alcohol or taken any medication or drug that could cause drowsiness.
- If your baby was premature or had a low birth weight, don't put him in your bed.
Conclusion
Your baby is precious and relies solely on you for protection and care. You need to be aware of your baby's surroundings at all times, and purposefully create a safe place for your baby to sleep.
