We teamed up with our friends at JPMA to share some safe sleep basics!
Safe Sleep Basics
You have been waiting to meet baby for nine months. You purchased the best baby gear, carefully decorated the nursery, and stocked up on diapers and baby wipes. But, despite all this preparation, you’re feeling a little overwhelmed now that baby is here.
One of the main safety areas most parents are concerned with is a safe sleep environment. After all, this is the one place baby is typically apart from you. Here are a few answers to some common new parent sleep questions to ease the uncertainty:
Can my baby sleep anywhere the first few months? The safest place for an infant to sleep is in a crib that is JPMA certified, which means it meets government AND industry standards. The practice of bed sharing with your infant, is controversial, a personal decision and one that should not be taken lightly. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons, and consider room sharing as a safer alternative.
Is it safe for my baby to sleep on her tummy?
Healthy infants should always sleep on their backs, unless otherwise advised by a pediatrician. Also, baby should always sleep in a full-sized crib that meets Federal and ASTM standards. Make sure baby’s crib is a safe sleep environment by removing all blankets, toys and pillows.
So, what can I do with all the blankets and toys I received as gifts?
Although you should never put extra blankets and toys inside the crib, you can still use them to liven up the nursery. Hang your beautiful blankets on the wall as art until your child can use them in their toddler bed. Use decorative pillows to support your back and legs while using a rocker or glider. Use that blanket for tummy time. Let baby play safely with toys under adult supervision, but keep the toys out of the crib.
How long should my baby sleep?
Infants sleep an average of 16 hours per day, which is a total of 8 hours during the night and another 8 hours spaced out throughout the day. Remember that all babies are different and your child could sleep two hours more or less than the average 16 hours.
Can I use my family’s heirloom crib? Although that heirloom crib holds sentimental value, age is a factor in the safety of any crib. At a minimum, the CPSC recommends that you not use a crib that is older than 10 years. Most crib complaints involve secondhand or used cribs misassembled or modified with makeshift hardware. Homemade remedies or fixes to cribs are NOT a safe alternative.
Did you know manufacturers often post or attach instructions to the mattress platform so they are easy to find when the crib is re-assembled for later use? Instructions can also be found on the manufacturer’s website.
JPMA is helping educate parents and caregivers on the importance of safely choosing and using the right baby products for your family. Learn more safety tips for cribs and other baby products at www.babysafetmonth.org.
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