Crib Safety Guidelines and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Author Name: Heidi Holvoet, PhD
Medical fact-check: Dr Leah Alexander, M.D., F.A.A.P.
To sleep well, a baby must feel protected and secure. Crib safety is also crucial in the battle against sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This includes safe bedding and a safe sleeping position.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Being safe not only helps your little one sleep but also prevents discomfort and injuries (from falling out of bed, getting stuck, ...). Moreover, a safe sleep environment is crucial to reduce the risk of SIDS, also called crib death or cot death.
Sudden infant death syndrome is the cruel taking away of a young baby,
who dies suddenly and unexplainedly.
A good start to help with prevention is
knowing what
SIDS is and who's at risk and what the official SIDS prevention guidelines are.
The crib
safety and sleeping position guidelines are equally important to protect
your child. Remember not
to use any wedges or positioner, it is not safe.
If you or anyone near you smokes, please do read the article about the connection between Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and smoking. It will guide you in protecting your little one.
Bedroom choices
When you set up the nursery, bedroom, or whichever sleeping place you have arranged, you will make
choices for where and
how.
Your little one can sleep in a crib in her own
room or start
out in your room. In your room she may have her own bed, a co-sleeper (side-car
bed next to you) or join the family
bed and cosleep in which cases it is of course crucial to follow all cosleeping safety guidelines diligently.
The room and
the bedding may have bright baby colors and
themes, matching shades and designs or simple practical solutions.
Your choice will be personal and depend on your preference and
situation. But which ever you choose, you will naturally
always make it cosy,
comfortable and safe. This will ensure you have the
best environment for your baby to sleep well.
To help you select a safe and comfortable mattress you may find our
mattress guide helpful.
It's not difficult to arrange a secure sleeping environment for your child. Just always follow the basic security guidelines
above and remember to trust your own instincts too.
Combined, you will be able
to create a safe and
ideal place for your dearest one.

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