Safe Sleep for Infants Checklist -

We were very desperate when our baby wasn’t sleeping through the night. We noticed that she slept well in a bouncer, but fortunately, we researched the risks before letting her sleep there overnight. We learned that a baby’s airway can get obstructed when their head tilts forward in a bouncer, so we never did it. Instead, we followed safe sleep guidelines to ensure her safety. Through this experience, I became sleep safety certified and now I know more than before.

What to Do:

Place Baby on Their Back: Always put your baby to sleep on their back for naps and bedtime to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Use a Firm Sleep Surface: Ensure the crib mattress is firm and fits snugly without gaps between the mattress and the crib sides.
Use a Tight-Fitting Sheet: Use only a fitted sheet that fits tightly on the mattress.
Use a Sleep Sack: Dress your baby in a sleep sack instead of loose blankets for warmth and safety.
Share a Room, Not a Bed: Keep the baby’s crib or bassinet in your room for at least the first six months.
Maintain a Comfortable Temperature: Keep the room at a comfortable temperature of 22°C (71.6°F). Use a thermometer under the bed that connects to your phone for accurate monitoring.
Use a Fan: Use a fan to circulate air, but do not blow air directly on the baby.
Breastfeed if Possible: Breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of SIDS.
Offer a Pacifier: Consider giving your baby a pacifier at nap time and bedtime, once breastfeeding is established.
Regular Checkups: Ensure your baby has regular pediatric checkups to monitor their health and development.
Keep Baby’s Sleep Area Smoke-Free: Avoid exposing your baby to smoke, both during pregnancy and after birth.
Check for Overheating: Touch the back of your baby’s neck to check for sweating and overheating.

What Not to Do and Why:

Do Not Use Soft Bedding: Soft bedding increases the risk of suffocation and SIDS.
Do Not Place Baby on Their Side or Stomach: These positions increase the risk of suffocation and SIDS.
Do Not Swaddle After Baby Starts Rolling or After 3 Months: Swaddling after the baby starts rolling can increase the risk of suffocation; use a sleep sack instead.
Do Not Sleep with Baby on a Couch or Armchair: Risk of suffocation or falling increases significantly in these settings.
Do Not Overheat Baby: Overheating is linked to an increased risk of SIDS. Dress light.
Do Not Use Positioners or Wedges: These products can cause suffocation if the baby rolls against them.
Do Not Use Bumper Pads: Bumper pads pose a suffocation, strangulation, and entrapment hazard.
Do Not Allow Loose Items in Crib: Loose items can cause suffocation.
Do Not Use Car Seats, Swings or Bouncer for Sleep: These can cause the baby’s head to fall forward, obstructing their airway, call positional asphyxiation.
Do Not Rely on Home Monitors: Home monitors have not been proven to prevent SIDS and may give a false sense of security.
Do Not Ignore Safety Recalls: Using recalled products can expose your baby to known safety hazards.
Do Not Place Baby on Side or Tummy: Avoid placing your baby on their side or tummy for sleep, but tummy time while awake and supervised is beneficial.
Do Not Push Air Directly on Baby: Avoid blowing air directly on the baby; a fan can be used to circulate air safely.

Co-Sleeping Safety Warning:

Bed-sharing can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and accidental suffocation and strangulation.
If you do choose to co-sleep, here is a video and below the steps for safe bed-sharing:

No Smoking: Avoid smoking in the home or around the baby.
Sober Adults: Ensure no alcohol or drowsy medications are consumed by anyone sharing the bed.
Breastfeeding: Breastfeed your baby day and night.
Healthy Baby: Ensure your baby is full term and healthy.
Baby on Back: Always place your baby on their back for sleep.
No Sweat: Dress your baby in light clothing and avoid swaddling while bed-sharing.
Safe Surface: Use a firm mattress without extra pillows, toys, or heavy covers. Ensure the sleeping area is free of strings and cords, and fill gaps with rolled towels or baby blankets.
Baby on One Parent’s Side: Do not place the baby between parents. Instead, keep the baby on one parent’s side, away from pillows and blankets.
Use the C-Curl Position: Lie on your side in a C-shape around the baby, with knees bent and arm above the baby’s head. This position prevents mama from rolling and keeps the baby away from pillows and blankets.