We tend to forget that babies spend a lot of time in their cribs, and we need to make sure that’s a very safe environment.
The obstetrics staff at Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital teaches parents about what a safe sleep environment looks like. They also teach safe sleep practices, many of which the hospital already has in place. For example, babies sleep best alone, on their backs and in a crib. Extra blankets, traditional bumper pads, and stuffed animals are not recommended, because they are suffocation hazards. It’s best if babies sleep in a onesie, and parents should keep the room temperature regulated. Babies who are too hot are at a higher risk for SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
One thing that is still recommended is the trusty pacifier. If you choose to bottle feed, or once breastfeeding is well established, the use of a pacifier is recommended. The use of pacifiers at night has also been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. Safe Sleep Recognition