Keep soft objects, loose bedding, or any objects that could increase the risk of entrapment, suffocation, or strangulation out of the baby's sleep area. These include pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, blankets, toys, bumper pads or similar products that attach to crib slats or sides.
If you are worried about your baby getting cold, you can use infant sleep clothing, such as a wearable blanket. In general, your baby should be dressed with only one layer more than you are wearing. Do not let your child fall asleep on nursing pillows or pillow-like lounging pads. Or, when propped up on an incline against the pillow or lounger , their heads can fall forward, blocking their airway. Never place your baby to sleep on a couch, sofa, or armchair. This is an extremely dangerous place for your baby to sleep.
It is fine to swaddle your baby. However, make sure that the baby is always on his or her back when swaddled. The swaddle should not be too tight or make it hard for the baby to breathe or move his or her hips. When your baby looks like he or she is trying to roll over, you should stop swaddling. Try giving a pacifier at nap time and bedtime. This helps reduce the risk of SIDS, even if it falls out after the baby is asleep. If you are breastfeeding, wait until breastfeeding is going well before offering a pacifier.
This usually takes weeks. If you are not breastfeeding your baby, you can start the pacifier whenever you like. It's OK if your baby doesn't want a pacifier. You can try offering again later, but some babies simply don't like them. If the pacifier falls out after your baby falls asleep, you don't have to put it back in. Do not smoke during pregnancy or after your baby is born. Keep your baby away from smokers and places where people smoke.
If you are a smoker or you smoked during pregnancy, it is very important that you do not bed share with your baby. Also, keep your car and home smoke-free. Don't smoke anywhere near your baby, even if you are outside. Do not use alcohol or illicit drugs during pregnancy or after the baby is born.
It is very important not to bed share with your baby if you have been drinking alcohol or taken any medicines or illicit drugs that can make it harder for you to wake up.
Breastfed babies have a lower risk of SIDS. Breastfeed or feed your baby expressed breast milk. The AAP recommends breastfeeding as the sole source of nutrition for your baby for about 6 months. Even after you add solid foods to your baby's diet, continue breastfeeding for at least 12 months, or longer if you and your baby desire.
Schedule and go to all well-child visits. Your baby will receive important immunizations at these doctor visits. Recent evidence suggests that immunizations may have a protective effect against SIDS. Make sure your baby has tummy time while awake every day. Awake tummy time should be supervised by an awake adult. This helps with baby's motor development and prevents flat head syndrome.
See Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play for more information and ways to play with the baby during tummy time. It can be nerve-wracking to peer into the crib or bassinet and see that your baby has wriggled onto his tummy or side — especially the first time. Most babies master the art of rolling over between the ages of 3 and 6 months.
And once they do, many decide that they prefer to sleep on their stomachs or sides. In short, babies who can roll themselves over and back are at a significantly decreased risk of SIDS, which experts believe is because babies with that ability have also developed the maturity to sense trouble during sleep and move into a safer position.
That said, even if your baby changes position at night, you should continue putting him down to sleep on his back until his first birthday.
And of course, you should continue sticking with other safe sleep guidelines — like putting your baby down on a firm surface and keeping the crib free of any other objects, including blankets, pillows, bumpers, loose-fitting sheets and stuffed toys. Put your baby to sleep on his back every time, and take other steps to help him feel cozy and secure like swaddling him or offering a pacifier. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations.
Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy. The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.
This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Registry Builder New. Baby Sleeping on His Side? Medically Reviewed by Micah Resnick, M. Medical Review Policy All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. Does your baby fuss when you put him down to sleep on his back?
We know that in the early s, there were thousands of babies worldwide dying suddenly and unexpectedly every year. The reason the number of deaths is much lower now is due to the new advice being followed by parents, such as lying babies on their backs to sleep.
We sometimes get calls from parents who say their baby prefers sleeping on their front. If a baby is given a choice, they may well prefer this position, but unfortunately it is not a safe one!
This is why we encourage all parents to follow back-sleeping from day one. Getting your baby to stick to sleeping on their back once if they have tried sleeping on their front might be difficult, but is made easier if your baby is always put down to sleep whilst awake rather than allowing your baby to fall asleep in your arms.
Keep going, they will eventually get used to it. All babies should be slept on their backs unless there is medical advice saying something different. If your baby has reflux, or any other on-going health condition, speak to your doctor about the best care for them. You should not sleep your baby on their front unless you have been advised to do so by a medical professional.
There is no need to use any type of equipment or rolled up blankets to keep your baby in one position unless you have been advised by a health professional for a specific medical condition. It is much safer for your baby to be in their cot with just the sheets or blankets, and no extras which could be pulled over their face or cause an accident.
As babies grow stronger they learn to move and roll and this is fine. For more information, please read our clear cot advice.
0コメント