September is Baby Safety Month so it is a good time for parents to focus on making sure they are doing all they can to keep their babies safe and protected. Knowing that baby is safe and sound will give parents peace of mind, so creating a safe sleep environment for baby should be a number one priority. Here are five of the most important tips on baby sleep safety:
1. Empty Crib
It's important to keep cribs empty of all items such as pillows, blankets, bumper pads and stuffed animals. All of these items pose suffocation hazards to babies. Any loose fabric or soft cushions can unravel and block baby's nose and mouth. Fighting for air or becoming overheated from too many blankets may be linked to SIDS.
2. Safe Swaddling
Traditional swaddling blankets pose the risk of wrapping babies too tightly and reducing necessary movement in the hips causing hip dysplasia. Thick material or too many layers can cause overheating, and strong babies can break out of traditional swaddling blankets which can unravel and cover baby's face.
3. Put Baby on Their Back
Make sure that you always place baby on his/her back when you are putting your little one down for the night or for a daytime nap. This is the best sleep position for babies because babies who are placed to sleep on their stomachs are at a higher risk for SIDS. The reason for this is uncertain but there have been findings that suggest that infants who sleep on their stomachs get less oxygen or re-breathe their own carbon monoxide, or "bad air".
4. Monitor Your Baby
Having a baby monitor in the room with your baby allows parents to keep an eye or ear on their baby from another room. Monitors give you the ability to listen to your baby and check on them without disturbing their sleep. They help you to identify whether or not baby needs your attention and can provide parents with reassurance that baby is sleeping safe and sound.
5. Safe Products
Whether your child is sleeping in a crib, bassinet, or pack-n-play, all safety standards and checks need to complete. It’s important to check product reviews and even research recalls on baby products, as safety is the most important aspect when buying something new for baby. The same precautions should be taken for sleep aids like swaddle suits, sleep sacks, etc.
Written by Carrie Shan, Founder of Silkberry Baby
Silkberry Baby is an organic baby clothing brand located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Developed by Carrie Shan, a mother of two young children, the range was conceived to create a baby bedding and clothing product range as her daughter had an allergic reaction to synthetic fibres. After much research, she sourced natural, eco-friendly and sustainable fibers (mulberry silk floss and bamboo) that she found to be the best natural choices available for baby and toddlers' bedding and clothing.
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