Baby Sleep Safety and the Back to Sleep Campaign

Infant sleep safety has become a concern, especially in the focus on preventing SIDS, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. That is why the Back to Sleep Campaign was started, with the goal of teaching parents the dangers of SIDS and how to reduce the chances of it occurring. It is essential that parents have awareness of these issues and preventative measures they can take with their infant. When educated, parents can more easily make key decisions about the environment and circumstances present when their child sleeps.

SIDS, according to the National Institutes of Health, is the primary cause of fatalities in kids aged from one month to one year old. Scientists are still unsure what causes it to occur, but they have come up with several tactics that parents can use to ensure safe baby sleep periods. One of the best tactics to reduce the chance of SIDS is to place babies on their backs during sleep. This needs to be consistently done whether it is bedtime or during a daytime nap. This prevents the possibility of changing the child’s position from one sleep time to the next.

Co Sleeping With Your Baby

It is dangerous for parents to sleep in the same bed with their infant. There has been evidence from scientific research that a higher occurrence of SIDS was found in homes where an infant slept in the same bed with the parents. When the infant is placed in an adult bed, the soft mattress, pillows and blankets can present a suffocation hazard. If a parent gets too close to a child’s face or rolls over near the child, the infant may have his or her ability to breathe blocked. This can lead to suffocation as well. The best place for a child is in a crib that has been carefully set up to create a safe environment for baby sleep.

Parents must also pay close attention to the baby’s sleeping environment. The mattress that the child sleeps on should be firm and be safety certified according to federal law. This means that softer surfaces, such as pillows and quilts, are not safe for a baby to sleep on. This is also true of pillows, stuffed animals and other soft items, which must be kept clear of the baby’s face. These can present a suffocation hazard to a baby during sleep if the child rolls over. The item can cover the infant’s mouth and nose, causing the child to breathe in carbon monoxide. Having a breathable space with adequate air flow is essential.

Crib Bumpers Considerations

Bumpers are another item that parents must pay close attention to. Those that are soft and pillow-like are undesirable and should not be placed in the crib. Instead, consider using a breathable bumper or the wonder bumpers instead. A breathable bumper is a section of non-allergenic mesh that has a material trimmed edge which is fastened around the inside edge of the crib. They allow air to move freely within the sleeping space, but prevent suffocation and the child becoming trapped in the bed rungs. The bottom edge even goes below the surface of the mattress to provide even further protection.

Wonder Bumpers are padded sections that fit in between the bed rails, allow air flow into the sleep space, prevent suffocation and the baby’s legs and arms from getting caught in the rails. It also prevents the child from climbing out of the crib. These products are both easy to install, are simple to clean and match with almost any crib. They are an excellent alternative to traditional bumpers, which present numerous safety hazards.

Traditional bumpers, to even be moderately safe, have to be fastened at the top and the bottom. Their use has been questioned in recent years, as they allow a child to get near the rungs. They also can allow a child’s head to get underneath the bumper, becoming caught near the edge of the mattress or possible suffocating the child. Parents should be careful in the type of bumper that they choose to use in their child’s crib.

Sleep Sacks to Consider

Another option that parents have is the Halo Sleep Sack. It wraps the child within a safe blanket that fastens over the child’s legs and upper body. The blanket wraps the child up, allowing for breathability, prevents the child from getting too hot and from suffocation. The Halo Sleep Sack gives the parent a safe alternative to swaddling the child in a traditional baby blanket while sleeping, which could cause the baby to suffocate.

While an infant sleeps, the environment should be at a comfortable and safe temperature. The infant should never be set up to become overheated. This means dressing the infant in comfortable, lightweight sleeping clothes and avoiding too many blankets. The room should also be kept at a temperature level that is comfortable for an adult to sleep in. That is why the Halo Sleep Sack and having a wonder bumper can make such a difference. The child needs to be warm, but there should be plenty of air flow and breathable space for maximum safety.

Pacifiers are often given to children while sleeping, but need to be clean and dry. The pacifier should never be forced on the infant to take. It should also be given to an infant who is at a minimum one month old or who has become accustomed to breastfeeding. This small step can do a great deal to help protect a child while sleeping. Parents should be aware of the smallest things that can cause a safety hazard or work as a preventative measure.

The work of the Back to Sleep Campaign and greater awareness of the dangers has helped to bring down the occurrence of SIDS by 50 percent since 1992. This shows that paying careful attention to the baby’s bed clothing, the sleep environment and the position of the child during sleep can make a huge difference. Parents that follow these tips, including the use of safety tested products, can actively help to protect their child against the occurrence of SIDS.