Newborn Baby Sleep Safety Precautions

Becoming a parent for the first time can be overwhelming, not matter how well prepared you may feel. Once the baby arrives, everything changes. You go through so many emotions and changes, but the most important thing is making sure the baby is healthy and safe. Your home is baby-proofed, but what about the baby’s cot?

SIDS is a worry for parents of newborns. SIDS is something that can strike without warning in an otherwise seemingly healthy infant. SIDS is usually the diagnoses for infant deaths when all other possibilities have been ruled out after a thorough investigation. However, SIDS is not a simple case of the baby suffocating.

There is no definite answer as to what actually causes SIDS, as there is new research done each year.

One of the most common words of advice is “Put your baby to sleep on their back”. Newborns should always sleep on their back on a firm mattress and tight fitting sheets. Sleeping on their stomachs can cause problems such the baby breathing too much carbon dioxide back in with each breath. Sleeping on their stomach increases the instances of sleep apnea as well.

Parents buy all the cute bedding, have matching comforters, bumper pads which unfortunately, may contribute to SIDS. The bumper pads can reduce the flow of fresh oxygen into the cot and should be avoided altogether. Stuffed animals are also a danger in the cot. If comforters get near the infant’s face, it can cause the same re-breathing of carbon dioxide as if sleeping on the stomach.

Another factor to keep in mind is the proper amount of clothing during cold weather. The baby needs to be warm, but not overly warm, as this can also cause problems. Since you shouldn’t use a doona or comforter, there are other options. A warm infant sleeping sack is usually enough.

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