How to Create a Safe and Cozy Newborn Sleep Space
March is NATIONAL SLEEP AWARENESS MONTH!
In honor of National Sleep Awareness Month, let’s talk about how you can create a safe and cozy newborn sleep space. Here are the most updated guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics on how to create a safe and restful environment for your baby.
As a new parent, the thought of sleep is likely occupying your thoughts often. What should my baby’s sleep schedule be? Is my baby comfortable enough to stay asleep for a few hours? Will I get a chance to nap (or eat, shower, brush my teeth, or do anything else) today?
“Sleep is a biological priority for both you and your baby, so it’s natural to have so many questions surrounding sleep. ”
Sleep is a biological priority for both you and your baby, so it’s natural to have so many questions surrounding sleep.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is an organization that focuses on maintaining the safety of newborns, babies, and children. The AAP offers many safe sleep space recommendations because although babies may seem comfortable in certain sleeping arrangements, there are sleep spaces that can put them at risk for harm. Implementing these safe sleep techniques will ensure your baby sleeps safely and that you sleep soundly without worry.
Why Are Newborns At Risk While Sleeping?
The processes that put newborns at risk for sleep-related injuries like SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), or SUID (sudden unexpected infant death) are still not fully known. What we do know is that newborns are at risk when placed in an unsafe sleeping environment due to a combination of 3 distinct factors, referred to as the ‘triple risk model’.
The triple risk model features:
1. A vulnerable Infant
2. A critical development period
3. An environmental stressor
IMAGE SOURCE: https://safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov/research/science/causes
Babies are the most at risk for SIDS between the ages of 1 - 4 months. Once babies know how to roll over on their own (from back to stomach and stomach to back), their risk decreases. With a few safe sleep space techniques, you can provide both a safe and cozy environment for your baby.
Safe Sleep Space Techniques
Designing A Safe Sleep Environment
A Pinterest deep dive into “aesthetic baby crib decor” will inevitably show some sleep space designs that are not recommended by the AAP.
Sleep spaces with the following items are not recommended:
● Pillows
● Loose blankets
● Loose bedding
● Stuffed animals
● Baby essentials (wipes, extra clothes, diapers)
The AAP created a challenge called ‘Clear the Crib’ to remind parents and caregivers that sleep spaces should remain free of clutter to maintain newborn safety. If you’re nesting and can’t wait to create a Pinterest-worthy nursery, try decorating with artwork, rugs, wallpaper, or curtains. These items won’t impact the safety of the sleeping space, but can still transform a nursery into an aesthetically pleasing sanctuary for your baby.
Here are some safe sleep space techniques that are associated with your environment:
● Maintaining a smoke-free home. Exposure to tobacco smoke increases the risk of SIDS.
● Avoid overheating. It might be tempting to over-bundle your bundle of joy, but this can put them at risk. Newborns only need about one additional layer of clothing than adults.
● Evading Inclines. Unless specifically prescribed by a doctor, all sleep surfaces should be flat. Implement regular tummy time to offset any concerns about head development.
A word on baby products
Exercise caution when using any baby product that claims to reduce the risk of SIDS. These products are not a replacement for safe sleep best practices and make sure to verify that they have been tested for infant safety.
Cribs and bassinets are the only products recommended for safe sleep. Bouncers, loungers, breastfeeding pillows, hammocks, and swings all have their own place but are not a replacement for using safe sleep space techniques.
Placing Baby in the Safe Sleep Environment
The ‘ABCs’ of safe sleep space techniques suggest that babies should be placed alone, on their backs, and in a crib.
Will there be times that your newborn dozes off in their car seat while you’re running errands, or in their bouncy seat while you’re making dinner? Absolutely. For short spurts, while you have close eyes on your baby, there’s no reason to force baby to stay awake. However, once it’s been more than a few minutes, or as soon as you can’t keep direct eyes on the baby, it’s important to move them to a safe sleep environment as soon as possible.
Here are some safe sleep space techniques that are related to your baby:
● Encouraging pacifier use. Once feeding has been established, putting your newborn to sleep with a pacifier can reduce sleep injury. Make sure that there are no pacifier strings or ribbons, though, because those can still pose a risk.
● Breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is also proven to reduce the risk of SIDS. Not breastfeeding? No worries, there are plenty of other ways to ensure your baby’s safety.
● Being careful of cosleeping. The AAP recommends that babies sleep alone to reduce the risk of SIDS and strangulation. They do recommend that babies sleep in the same room as their caretakers for up to 6 months if possible, in a separate safe sleep space.
Why do babies need to sleep on their backs?
It might seem strange that while babies are so prone to spitting up, they are still recommended to sleep on their backs. This is because when babies are on their backs, gravity will force any spit-up into their esophagus, leading to the stomach. In contrast, when babies lay on their stomachs, gravity forces saliva through the trachea, leading to the lungs and causing choking.
IMAGE SOURCE: https://safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov/resources/providers/downloadable/baby_anatomy_image
The Bottom Line
Sleep is an essential part of being human! Because of this, each culture has its own beliefs and priorities surrounding sleep. There is a safe way to incorporate your own cultural practices into the evidence-based practice of safe sleep.
By creating a safe sleep environment while you’re nesting, you’ll have peace of mind that your baby is both safe and comfortable.
For more information on how you can set your newborn up for sleep success, please see the NEWBORN BABY SLEEP COURSE.