Sleep Safety
Sleep Safety.
Don’t be scared, be informed.
There is one terrifying acronym that we just never shake or forget as new parents…
SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
But on the other side of this fear is desperation and sleep deprivation and it is when experiencing these that I often see parents (myself included) making unsafe sleep choices for their babies.
When my first son was born, he would go down ok for his initial stretch and then at 1 a.m. he would wake for a feed and it would be textbook. We kept it quiet and dark and soon after his feed he would settle into his next stretch. Up until that point things were manageable.
Then 3 a.m. would roll around and he would be up again. And when I say up, I mean up for the day!!!
It wasn’t long before I was screaming at my partner in the middle of the night, completely exhausted and frustrated telling him I couldn’t cope any more. I was going crazy and really, I was. I had post-partum depression which was being further fueled by sleep deprivation.
I called for help and was told to let my son sleep in a swing from 3 a.m. on. At the time there weren’t any concerns with it but now…now that’s a huge NO! Babies crave motion as we lull them to sleep with every step we take while they are in the womb, but unsupervised out in the world, it can be problematic.
When I talk to parents now, I see myself in them. They don’t always believe that I too struggled, but I really did.
With my second child, I used a dock-a-tot incorrectly for sleep that wasn’t always supervised and wasn’t meant to be laid on soft surfaces. Soon after a fatality was reported, and I had no choice but to stop. I couldn’t take the risk.
All this to say…I mean it when I said it, do what you need to in order to survive those first four months but please make sure it’s safe.
What is SIDs?
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is when there is a sudden unexplained death of a baby under one year old. To date, there is no one specific cause however there is extensive research that is ongoing.
Just this year, there was a research breakthrough that may have isolated a specific contributing factor; a lower-than-normal enzyme in some babies that predisposes them to this terrifying syndrome was detected.
Though studies are ongoing, at this point in time, safe sleep recommendations are still at the forefront for reducing the risk of SIDS.
Safe Sleep Recommendations
They change frequently so it’s important you keep yourself up-to-date (I recommend the AAP). Below are the key recommendations:
Room sharing up until your baby is at least six months of age with parents and baby on separate sleep surfaces.
Always lay baby down to sleep on their back.
Cribs or bassinets should have nothing but a tight fitted sheet, no loose blankets.
Give your baby a pacifier to use when sleeping.
Ensure there is good air circulation in the room.
No smoking near the baby or in the home.
No swaddling at signs of rolling and ensure swaddle isn’t close to baby’s face.
No bumpers, mesh or otherwise.
Breastfeed baby when possible.
Newer:
No weighted swaddles or sleep sacks.
No sleeping in loungers.
Car seats are fine but not if they aren’t correctly positioned in a car or stroller.
No swings, rockers, infant loungers, etc.
Some Tips to Help You Out
You might be thinking this is just another layer of stress you weren’t expecting and your baby won’t sleep without some type of potentially unsafe help. I promise they will. Ultimately it can be a really rough few months but on the other side of it, you have options such as teaching your child independent sleep skills. Until then, here are some things to try:
Know your child’s wake windows and start winding them down and soothing them 10 minutes prior to the end of their window.
Swaddle if it’s safe to do so and use a pacifier if your child will accept it.
Walk them, rock them or bounce them with some shushing until they feel relaxed in your arms.
If your child is inconsolable leading into sleep, try Dr. Harvey Karps 5 S’s – swaddle, side, shush, swing, and suck.
Lay them down when awake but calm and then help them fall asleep in their sleep space.
Try this for first nap of the day when babies can easily fall asleep.
Make sure the environment is optimal. Dark, cool and surrounded by soothing white noise.
Use darkening shades or tin foil and tape.
Sound machine six feet away from baby’s sleep surface and max 40-50 decibels.
Consider pre-warming the bassinet if your baby always wakes upon being placed in. A heating pad can be used to warm the surface (on low) then remove a few minutes prior to baby being laid down. We don’t want it hot, but a gentle warmth can help some babies.
If your baby craves motion, consider the SNOO. There are alternative options, but the SNOO has been around the longest and to date is considered a sleep safe option.
Know when your baby is in active versus quiet sleep.
Babies prior to the 4-month sleep regression have two modes of sleep, and trust me this is important.
Quiet sleep - They are peaceful, relaxed and appear to be in a very restorative sleep. They aren’t easily roused.
Active sleep - They are grunting, squirming, slamming their legs and whining BUT their eyes are closed.
Often when a baby is in active sleep, we think they are up and rush to grab them but often when we do that we are waking them up.
Join my FREE monthly 0-4 Months class where I talk through how to start getting your baby sleeping better.
Don’t Go It Alone
Being a new parent is hard. Being a second time parent is more familiar but just as hard.
If you are struggling, ask for help:
Take shifts with your partner.
Ask a trusted relative or friend to give you some relief.
Hire a doula or night nurse that is experienced and has excellent references.
Consider the SNOO.
Join my class and ask questions.
Do Your Research
I’m sharing my thoughts but ultimately when it comes to the safety of your child, research any area of concern to make an informed decision.
Resources
Author: Andria Gordon
Andria Gordon is the Owner and Founder of child sleep consulting agency Have Baby. Must Sleep., a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant who has helped over 400 families get sleeping again, as well as a frequent speaker and presenter to parent groups and daycares/preschools. Andria is the co-founder of a Children’s Sleep and Medical Conditions certification course for sleep consultants, is a member of various professional associations and has been featured on Global News in Canada. As a former senior ad executive Andria knows what it means to provide exceptional, high-touch client care and service. You can find her on Instagram @andriasleep.
Company:
Have Baby. Must Sleep. is a leading pediatric sleep consultancy serving parents with babies and children ages 0 to 5 years old. They specialize in providing a high-touch, completely customized sleep coaching experience centred around each individual family and their lifestyle. The team is composed of moms who have experienced their fair share of sleepless nights while trying to balance work and life, and that’s why they’ve come together to help other tired parents get the rest they need and deserve. As Pediatric Sleep Consultants who have worked with 800+ families, sleep is what they do, it is their expertise and sole focus. You can find out more at www.havebabymustsleep.com.