Top 10 Baby Sleep Safety Tips

If you are planning to have a baby or if you already have a baby in the house you must be aware of all the facts about how to keep your baby safe and comfortable during sleep. It is now a well known fact that SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is the number one cause of death of infants aged between one month and one year. However since the "Back to Sleep" campaign began in 1994 the number of baby deaths attributed to SIDS in the United States have been reduced by more than half. Proper sleep is not only important for the safety of your baby it is also vital for the baby's development. The following are the 10 most important facts relating to safe, comfortable and healthy sleep for babies.

1. You must put the baby to sleep on the back both for naps and sleeping at night. This will reduce the risk of SIDS. The baby should not sleep on the sides or on the tummy. These positions may cause choking. It has been observed that babies who sleep on their stomachs are at a higher risk of SIDS. Remember "Stomach to play,back to sleep" is best for babies. These are also important for the baby's healthy development.

2. To decrease the chances of flat spots from forming on your baby's head let the baby lie on the tummy while someone is around and watching. Keep changing the direction of the baby in the sleeping area every week.

3. The baby's sleep area must be kept separate from where others sleep in the house. You must make sure that the baby does not sleep on the sofa, couch, armchair or bed with others including children. The crib gives the best protection to your baby. The infant should sleep in the crib or bassinet at the parent's bedside, close to the parents.

4. Whenever you have to bring your baby to breastfeed, put the baby back in the separate sleep area that can be a crib, bassinet cradle or a bedside cosleeper that attaches to the bedside, when you finish breastfeeding. You can use a clean and dry pacifier when putting your baby back to sleep if the baby accepts it willingly but don't force it. You must wait until the baby is one month old or else used to the breastfeeding before introducing a pacifier.