September is Baby Safety Month, sponsored annually by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). This month-long event increases consumer awareness of baby safety issues and the safe selection and use of baby products. For the past 40 years MAM’s top priority has been the development of products for the well-being, safety and health of babies that make life easier for parents and allow them to focus on the joy of family. In observance of National Baby Safety Month, MAM shares some recommendations to provide infants with a safe sleep environment and to help you and your baby rest easier at night.
I’m sure many of you have had many worries when it comes to safe sleep, especially SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) which is the leading cause of death in infant between 1 month and 1 year of age. Each year, about 4,000 infants die unexpectedly during sleep time, from SIDS, accidental suffocation, or unknown causes. By providing infants with a safe sleep environment it is possible to help reduce the risk of SIDS.
I remember anxiously checking on my babies at night to make sure they were still breathing. To be honest, I still do this even now that Brielle is over 8 months old. I took comfort in keeping them in my room (in their own bed) for the first few months of their life as it gave me comfort being able to easily peek in on them and tried my absolute best to follow all safe sleep guidelines.
Below are some tips and recommendations for you to provide a safe sleep environment for your babies to allow you and them to rest easily and safely:
Always place baby to sleep on their backs.
Because babies sleeping on their sides are more likely to accidentally roll onto their stomach, the side position is just as dangerous as the stomach position. Back is best!
Consider pacifier usage when placing baby down for sleep and remember that the pacifier may not be reinserted once the infant falls asleep.
Pacifier use is shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. MAM supports the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published guidelines for pacifier usage. In addition, MAM recommends before placing a pacifier in baby’s mouth, check to see if there is any damage for signs of weakness. Pull the pacifier nipple in all directions and throw away the pacifier at the first sign of damage or weakness. Pay extra attention to your child’s pacifier as teeth emerge, which can occur as early as 1 month. Replace pacifiers frequently – every 1 to 2 months.
Avoid letting baby get too hot.
The baby could be too hot if you notice sweating, damp hair, flushed cheeks, heat rash, and rapid breathing. One of the best ways to ensure your baby can regulate their body temperature while they’re asleep is to dress them in natural fibers, like cotton, bamboo and merino. ergoPouch swaddles, wearable sleep bags and suits are a great choice when it comes to correctly dressing your baby for sleep as the entire range is made from natural fibers with tog (warmth) ratings to suit every temperature and season. If you choose the correct, tog-rated swaddle or wearable sleep bag/suit, your baby won’t require blankets which can place them at risk of SIDS. Set the room temperature in a range too that is comfortable for a lightly clothed adult.
Make certain baby is sleeping safely in a crib that meets the latest U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards.
Ensure that nothing in your nursery including the paint and furnishings contains harmful chemicals or toxins. Place the crib away from windows, where direct sunlight and drafts can make your baby uncomfortable. Keep baby’s crib or bassinet away from blinds or drapery, which are strangulation hazards.
Place baby on a firm mattress, covered by a fitted sheet that meets current safety standards.
One of the most important purchases for your nursery is the crib mattress, as a newborn can sleep up to 16 hours per day! Look for a breathable crib mattress designed for baby’s health, safety and comfort.
Remove all soft objects from the crib, including bumper pads, blanket, pillows, & stuffed toys.
Despite what you see in every stock nursery photo, keep all those extra’s out of the crib. The only thing that should in your babies crib is your baby!
GIVEAWAY!
In recognition of Baby Safety Month, MAM and ergoPouch have a special prize package for one of my readers! One of you will win a $30 gift package of assorted MAM products including pacifiers and Anti-Colic bottles and an ergoPouch ergoCocoon Swaddle to Sleep Bag! Enter below!
Disclosure: All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Great tips!! I loved swaddles and we also used a pacifier for sleep! xx
Night time both feeding and sleeping was always a concern!!!
You have so much great information here! We did a lot of swaddling earlier on and our ten month old still LOVES his ZipadeeZip!
Loved your post, as always! I appreciate all the tips!
Brielle is too cute!!
Believing I will get to do so soon 🙂
it’s so important that new moms know about safe sleep! My tiny humans loved being swaddled and only used the mam pacis!
Such great reminders! MAM has been the only paci both of my children would take!
Great tips! So important! Great giveaway too!
Great tips on sleeping baby safely!! And I love MAM products!
Would love to win this great giveaway!
I was nervous about everything!!! But most of all I was nervous about feedings. I wanted to do what the doctor said. Baby would not cooperate. My mom finally said, “She will eat when she wants and as much as she wants”. That worked!
I am so nervous about keeping baby safe around the dog. But our dog is family too.
Such great tips! I was constantly checking on my daughter the first few months. I wish she had taken a pacifier. I tried them all and she just wouldn’t do it!
Giving him his first bath! He was so small and slippery.
Good tips!
Great tips! Will be using them soon 🙂
his crying
Such great info! We love our zippys too!
I was nervous about everything with my first, I felt much better bringing home my second.
Making sure she breastfed enough and that I would wake up to feed her.
I was always afraid I would be so tired I wouldn’t hear him or her cry.
I was worried about nursing, making sure she was getting enough, often enough.
I was most nervous that he had jaundice and we had to keep taking him back to the hospital for blood tests every day.
We use Mam pacis and bottles! Great tips!
I was nervous about SIDS. I kept waking up to make sure my son was still breathing.
I was most nervous about introducing the dogs to the baby. We did it slowly over several months.
I don’t have any children yet; I am entering for my sister, who is expecting her first. I know she is worried about how the baby will sleep.
That they would stop breathing!
I was nervous about the first real bath.
I was so nervous about being a good mother and doing everything correctly for the baby.
I was worried about nursing.
My little guy (who is 6 weeks old now) was in the NICU at first so I was nervous about not having the nurses around anymore.
I was never feeling confident about her sleeping, always scared and waking up to check on her. Thanks so much for the chances to win.
I was most nervous about how to swaddling my little one when I brought him home!
Thank You
I was nervous about feeding time.
I was most nervous that I would not hear my baby crying, and also I checked all the time to make sure he was still breathing.
With my niece and nephew I was worried about holding them when they couldn’t hold their head up. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
Making sure he didn’t get sick.