For the first few months of life, sleeping is your baby's favorite activity, make sure you practice "safe sleeping". More and more sleeping babies die each year from preventable sleep accidents. Your best sleeping habits start while you are still in the hospital. Insist your baby is placed on it's back during sleeping time. (Unless your baby has a medical condition that would prevent this.)
Now that you are home, where's the baby going to sleep?
Safe sleeping habits started in the hospital, now its up to you to keep the ball rolling. The best sleeping area for your new baby is in the crib. In order to make sure you have a crib that meets all current requirements this list of crib safety tips will prove to be an invaluable resource.
Safe Sleeping Crib Tips
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Place the crib in an area that is always draft free.
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Remove bibs, bonnets and necklaces prior to putting baby to sleep.
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A baby can suffocate from soft bedding in a crib. Remove all bedding, pillows, blankets, toys and stuffed animals from the crib.
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Never place baby on adult beds, chairs, sofas or cushions to sleep.
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Place baby on an approved crib, a firm mattress and a well fitted sheet.
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Never, cover baby’s head with a blanket or over bundle them with clothing and blankets.
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Dress baby lightly for sleep and set room temperature at 68 to 70 degrees; about the same as a lightly dressed adult. This helps to avoid baby getting too hot.
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Dress baby in a diaper and a Onesie and then swaddle her/him in a receiving blanket.
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Use appropriate baby sleepwear to dress baby for bed instead of using blankets.
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Place baby on its back for sleep. This has reduced the incidence of SIDS in the US by 38%. Babies who sleep on their backs have a much lower risk of dying from SIDS and suffocation.
Safe Sleeping Pacifier Tips
Give your baby a pacifier to sleep with. Infant pacifier use is a healthy option for your baby. This may help reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). If the pacifier falls out while your baby is sleeping, do not put it back in.
Pacifier Check List
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The best pacifier should have no ribbons, string, cord or yarn attached. Never use a pacifier clip with a string or a strap that is long enough to get caught around a baby’s neck.
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The pacifier guard or shield should be large enough and firm enough so that it does not fit into your baby's mouth.
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The pacifier guard or shield should have ventilation holes, so your baby can breath if the shield does go into its mouth.
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The rubber pacifier nipple should have no holes or tears. Rubber may break off into your baby's mouth.
Safe Sleeping With Parents
There has been a lot of controversy over this subject. Here is what I have discovered. Its not about "is" it safe to sleep with your baby, its about "how" to sleep with your baby safely.
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