The team at Hello Spud is proud to welcome and introduce you to our new Brand Ambassadors for safe sleep Lauren Lappen and Joanna Winograd from Wee Sleep Solutions.
Top 5 Tips for Safe Sleep:
In welcoming your baby home, it’s important to know about SIDS and safe sleep habits.
Babies spend at least 50% of their time sleeping - that’s a lot of hours!
- Most importantly, always, always, always put your baby down on his or her back. This is one of the most effective ways of reducing SIDS.
- Until at least 12 months of age, babies should sleep in an empty crib or bassinet with a flat hard surface. All you need is a tight, fitted sheet on the mattress like the Hello Spud Organic Cotton Crib Sheets.
We know it’s tempting to make your nursery cute with bumpers and stuffed animals, but please, take them out of your baby’s sleep area; these are suffocation hazards. Instead of a blanket in the crib, swaddle your baby, and if you feel your baby has outgrown the swaddle or if he’s rolling around, put him in a sleep sack, or simply use pajamas. Studies show that swaddled babies sleeping on their back are at a lower risk for SIDS than are un-swaddled babies sleeping on their stomachs. When you swaddle make sure you leave enough room for their legs to extend so you prevent hip dysplasia.
- Last year the American Academy of Pediatrics released the recommendation that babies sleep in the same room as a caregiver, on their own sleep surface, for at least the first 6 (ideally 12) months of life. This may or may not feel right for your family. If you decide to move your baby to her own room before 12 months of age, please discuss with your pediatrician first.
- Carefully consider the placement of the crib in the room. Make sure that no drapery or cords from window treatments are in arms reach. Similarly, wires of any kind (particularly cameras from video monitors that are often very close to the crib) must be safely secured so babies cannot play with them. Outlets should be covered throughout the room and furniture should be bolted to the wall.
- Children sleep best in a room around 70 degrees, dressed in clothes similar to what an adult would find comfortable. Beware of overdressing your baby. Overheating increases the risk of SIDS, not to mention it is hard to sleep if you’re too hot. Now that your nursery is set up for safe slumber, go enjoy your little ones and rest assured that they’re safe and sound!
Please take a moment to learn about SIDS from the American Academy of Pediatrics for more tips and information
Everybody needs a good night’s sleep, but if you have a new baby, you know that’s not always easy to get. Having children and raising a family is more than a new chapter in your life, it’s a total game changer — and sometimes you need help and guidance to keep healthy.
For more information on how to improve your family’s sleep and safety with Wee Sleep Solutions, please visit their website
Lauren and Joanna specialize in helping new parents with both singletons and twins. You can contact them directly to ask more questions at info@hello-spud.com.
