MADERA, Calif. – October marks Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month, and Dr. Carol Nader from Valley Children’s is offering her top safe sleep tips to help protect your little ones.
“Like you, we want your babies to sleep soundly and safely so that you can rest assured that you’ve done everything you can to keep them safe,” said Dr. Nader, a pediatric resident with Valley Children’s.
SIDS is the leading cause of death in infants between 1 month and 1 year of age. As more families adopt safe sleep practices, Dr. Nader says that more lives are being saved – but continued awareness is key.
“While it’s a tough conversation to have with parents, we can minimize the risks as best we can by having our babies sleep safely,” she said.
When speaking with parents, Dr. Nader shares a few key recommendations she always emphasizes:
First, always lay your baby to sleep on their back, which helps to reduce the risk of suffocation.
Second, use a firm mattress with a fitted sheet that won’t dent underneath the baby. Dr. Nader also advises against babies sleeping on unsafe areas such as adult beds, sofas and couches, swings, bouncers, strollers and car seats.
Third, ensure nothing else is in the crib/bassinet with your baby.
“Fluffy blankets, toys, stuffed animals, crib bumpers and anything soft – we would recommend keeping out of the crib and bassinet,” said Dr. Nader.
Finally, Dr. Nader says the baby should sleep by themselves in their crib or bassinet.
“They can be in the same room as you, but we don’t recommend bed sharing,” she said. “That allows the baby to be as safe as possible in their own sleep environment.”
These guidelines apply not just at night, but during naps as well.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has additional steps you can take to practice safe sleep, such as ensuring your baby isn’t overheated, using a pacifier when putting them down and regular prenatal care. You can read more about the AAP’s recommendations here.
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If you have questions or concerns about your baby’s sleep environment, talk to your pediatrician.
For more tips from Valley Children’s about safe sleep, click here.
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