Welcoming a new baby into the family is a joyous occasion, but it comes with a great deal of responsibility. Even at night, ensuring the safety of a newborn, especially during sleep, is of paramount importance.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and accidental suffocation are real concerns for parents, making it crucial that every possible precaution to prevent these from happening is taken.
Fortunately, there are several proven methods to protect babies while they sleep, but what are the best ways to safeguard a toddler when at rest so that both parents and baby can enjoy a peaceful night?
Creating a safe sleep environment is the foundation of baby sleep safety. It is recommended that babies sleep on their backs on a firm and flat mattress, free from pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, or any other loose bedding.
Using a fitted sheet that fits the mattress snugly can prevent a baby from becoming engulfed by the bed covering. Furthermore, purchasing a cot that meets all current safety standards is another great step forward in child sleep safety. These can help minimize the risk of suffocation and reduce the chances of SIDS.
While back sleeping is the safest position for babies, supervised tummy time whilst a baby is awake is also essential for their development. Spending time on the tummy can help strengthen neck and upper body muscles and prevent the development of flat spots on the back of the baby’s head during skeletal development.
It is best to start with short sessions in this position before gradually increasing the duration as the baby grows. It is recommended that when babies are in this position, they should always be supervised to ensure that the child is safe and comfortable. Adding toys to the cot whilst the baby is alert and being watched can also help keep the child entertained.
Baby monitors have become indispensable tools for modern parents, providing real-time audio and video surveillance while babies sleep.
These gadgets help parents monitor their babies whilst parents are in other parts of the house. Monitors can also help parents urgently respond to any concerns or situations that may arise whilst a baby is sleeping.
These devices come in various forms, including audio-only monitors, video monitors, and smart monitors that connect to smartphones. Video monitors allow parents to keep a watchful eye on their baby’s sleeping position and movements.
Some advanced models even include features like temperature and humidity monitoring and two-way communication so that a baby can hear its parent’s voices and not feel alone. This can be useful if a baby suddenly wakes up and begins to cry. An upset infant can then be soothed back to sleep without the parents having to enter the baby’s sleeping quarters.
Adults can have trouble sleeping during hot summer nights or feel the cold in the wintertime. However, babies are more sensitive to temperature than adults, so it’s essential to maintain a comfortable sleep environment. The ideal room temperature for a baby’s sleep is around 20-22°C.
Using a room thermometer to monitor the temperature is the easiest way of achieving this. Dressing a baby in appropriate clothing for the season can also prevent overheating or the baby from getting cold during the winter months.
Additionally, a humidifier can help keep the air moist if it is particularly cool and dry. Very cold air can lead to respiratory discomfort and increase the risk of illness in the very young. However, a humidifier should be at a safe distance away from the baby and well-maintained to prevent malfunction and mould growth from occurring.