For parents, we always want what is best for our babies and we always want them to feel comfortable. However, what may be comfortable for us as adults may actually be risky for our newborns, and so we have to be extremely careful and vigilant on the things that we do as it may not only affect the health of our babies but could also potentially endanger their lives.
SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), also known as crib death or cot death, is one of the leading causes of mortality for newborns and infants below 3 months and the highest risk for this to happen is when the baby is asleep or in their crib. Naturally, babies cannot yet move their bodies or heads and they do not have the strength to push away objects from their faces. Therefore when something is in their face or blocking their breathing passage, it could potentially lead to suffocation.
While we as parents would love to have decorations and follow a theme for our children’s room, there are a number of items we need to consider when selecting a baby bedding for our newborns. Here are some things you can check on:
- Be careful on the blankets. For newborns and infants below 3 months, it is advisable to use a receiving blanket or a wrap around blanket for the baby’s arms and legs when putting your baby to sleep. This way, the blankets are not lose and shabby. Lose blankets and the baby’s minimal movements may lead to the blanket covering the baby’s face.
- No soft beddings. Our baby’s comfort is not the same as adult’s comfort so firm beddings are not uncomfortable for them. Using soft beddings may make the baby move unnecessarily or even roll over face down which could be risky.
- Choose beddings with hypo allergenic fabric. This is an important matter to consider also. Babies’ skins are sensitive and therefore should be taken extra consideration when choosing the fabrics used for the beddings. Using hypo allergenic beddings will help avoid skin irritation and other skin diseases brought about by allergies.
- Use mild detergents when washing the beddings. Another thing to consider is when washing the beddings, the detergents used should be mild. Some detergents for our day to day clothing may be too strong for the beddings which may lead to skin irritations or diseases for your baby. So be careful when choosing the detergents you use. For most households, the detergents used for baby laundry is different from the ordinary laundry.
- Be sure that there are no lose blankets around the area of the crib. It is most advisable to wrap your baby’s arms and legs to avoid sudden movements which could cover your baby’s face or make them roll over to their front.
- Parents are also advised to make their baby sleep on their back. This way, there is no risk of the baby rolling over.
- Babies should sleep alone on a firm bedding. Meaning no stuffed animals, no ribbons, no wires, and no buttons. Decorations may look good but they are too risky for babies. Stuffed animals surrounding the crib may topple over and cover the baby’s nasal passage or face which could suffocate the baby. Toys or stuffed animals with wires or sharp objects are also risky. Ribbons and buttons should also be taken off, as the baby may grasp and swallow it.
- No sleeping on couches or comforters because they are too soft. It is very much advisable to just let your baby sleep on their crib.
