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Safe Sleeping for Your Newborn
Author: Heather Slee
You might love to sleep on your stomach…or your side. And your baby may like it, too. While this is a cozy position for your newborn on your chest, in the rocker, or on the couch, do not put your newborn in any position besides on their back when they are sleeping in their crib or in your bed. I'll tell you why…
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)... every parent's nightmare. There is no proof of what causes SIDS. However, numerous studies have been done to examine possibilities. The number one advice given to parents to reduce the risk of SIDS is this: babies should sleep on their backs.
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development initiated the "Back to Sleep" campaign in the early 1990s, trying to reduce the heart-wrenching tragedy SIDS, or "crib death." The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reports that since the campaign, incidences of SIDS have gone down over 50 percent! Since the study was completed and numerous studies followed, the AAP even suggests that side-sleeping is potentially dangerous because it's possible the infant could roll to the stomach. The only recommend sleep position is on the back.
You may have read that if your baby has acid reflux that stomach sleeping is the only solution. Before you go that route, talk with your pediatrician about all the different methods you can try to ease your baby's pain. For example, sleeping upright seems to help babies with this issue; try a car seat or a swing.
Be sure to always put your baby on his or her back for sleeping. (And don't worry about when they're old enough to roll; they'll be able to lift their heads if need be or flip back over.) Also, be sure to inform all your child's caregivers of your Back to Sleep policy. Even if they're from the generation that put their babies on their stomachs and "they're just fine," tell them it's important to you, and feel free to throw out some statistics their way.
For more information regarding SIDS and the recommendations of the AAP, visit this website: http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;116/5/1245#SEC2.
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