In case we haven’t met yet: I am Kinsa’s registered nurse/writer. A major piece of my nursing background was in the NICU, teaching parents how to take care of their tiny new babies. I absolutely loved this part of my job - watching moms and dads gain confidence and embrace their new role as parents.
Today let’s focus on safe sleep + sleeping through the night 😴
Safe Sleep
Just in case they didn’t drill this into your head at the hospital, until your baby is 1-year-old, they should ALWAYS be placed on their back to sleep (naps and bedtime). Keep your little one’s crib sparse and safe! No extra blankets, stuffed animals, toys, decorations, crib bumper, etc. Your little cutie swaddled in one blanket and a firm mattress with a fitted sheet = safest combo. Once they’re able to roll over independently, you may find them on their side or belly when you check on them - this is okay and you don’t need to wake up all night to flip them back over. Additionally, if your baby falls asleep in a swing or car seat, you should move them safely to their firm mattress.
What about products that claim to prevent SIDS, like sleep monitors or special mattresses?
The FDA has not cleared any products for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) prevention. If the product(s) you have meet the safety guidelines put out by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), you may still use them but please know: the best ways to prevent SIDS are everything we’re covering today.
Won’t my baby be cold if they don’t get blankets?
As a general rule of thumb, dress your baby in one more layer of clothing than you are wearing. That, in addition to a wearable blanket or a swaddle is all they need. If you choose the swaddling route, make sure the blanket isn’t too restrictive on their hips and stop swaddling them once they show signs of rolling to their tummy on their own.
Room sharing, not bed sharing
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says having your new baby sleep in the same room with you for 6-12 months has been shown to reduce SIDS by 50%. Pull their bassinet or crib into your room (bonus: it will make nighttime feedings easier!).
I know you’re sleep-deprived and I don’t think you’ll find a mother out there who hasn’t dozed off while lying in bed, feeding her baby. Ask your partner to “keep watch” and remind you to put your baby back in their own bed when the feeding is over.
Additional tips that have been shown to prevent SIDS…
- Maintain a smoke-free environment
- Breastfeed for at least 6 months (if you can/want to)
- Stay up-to-date on immunizations
- Offer a pacifier during naptime and bedtime
- Give your baby plenty of tummy time while they’re awake and under supervision - this helps them build motor skills and prevents a flat spot on the back of their head from always lying on their backs. Start on day 1 for 3-5 minutes, 2-3 times per day. Gradually increase the length of time over the next few months until it equals at least one hour per day of tummy time.
Okay, now that you know how to make sure your baby is sleeping safely, how do you actually make sure they go to sleep? While most newborns sleep 16-17 hours per day, none of those hours feel like they land at night. Don’t fret about the first 1-2 months - this time is about trust-building and learning your baby’s routine. Once they’re 2-3 months old though, it’s the perfect time to begin sleep training.
Here are the sleep tips that helped me when my kiddos were cute little babies:
- Differentiate between daytime and nighttime. During the day, make sure lights are on, music is going, you’re talking and playing frequently with your baby, etc. At nighttime, do not turn any lights on when you need to settle or feed your sweetie. Keep everything calm, dark, relaxed. Try not to talk too much or too excitedly. Feed them and lay them back down.
- Instead of rocking your baby to sleep each time, then trying to maneuver them into their crib with zero disturbances, put them in their crib when they’re still awake. This will teach them that it’s bedtime.
- Each time your baby cries at night, wait a couple of minutes before sprinting to their side. This will teach them some coping mechanisms of their own and as time goes on, you should notice your babe start to quiet down before you even tend to them. I added a minute of waiting time each night. As in, I actually set a timer and made myself wait. It worked!
Be consistent. Be patient. You’ve got this!
