Whether you are a mother of four or a pregnant teen having your first baby, there is a condition that all mothers should be aware of: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). SIDS is a condition in which an infant has a sudden unexpected death. It usually happens after the child has been put to bed and exhibits no signs of having suffered.
This is a devastating condition. However, there are some safe sleep tips that can help prevent your baby from suffering this condition.
A Safe Sleeping Environment For Your Baby
- Place baby on his/her back on a firm tight-fitting mattress in a crib that meets current safety standards.
- Remove pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, pillow-like stuffed toys, and other soft products from the crib.
- Consider using a sleeper or other sleep clothing as an alternative to blankets, with no other covering.
- If using a blanket, put baby with feet at the foot of the crib. Tuck a thin blanket around the crib mattress, reaching only as far as the baby’s chest.
- Make sure your baby’s head remains uncovered during sleep.
- Do not place baby on a waterbed, sofa, soft mattress, pillow, or other soft surface to sleep.
Placing babies to sleep on their backs instead of their stomachs has been associated with a dramatic decrease in deaths from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Babies have been found dead on their stomachs with their faces, noses, and mouths covered by soft bedding, such as pillows, quilts, comforters and sheepskins.
Tips courtesy of babyparenting.about.com.
