One of the things us parents often worry most about is sleep after the baby arrives. Will your baby sleep well or will you end up completely sleep deprived? What about the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)? What can you do to help your baby sleep well? In this post we will address safe sleep in babies and what you can do to provide the best possible outcome for you and your baby. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), babies should sleep on their backs from birth through their first year of life. They may start rolling over themselves to their stomach once they are able, but placing them down on their back is best. Ideally your baby should sleep in your room for the first 6-12 months, but they still need their own space within your room. A bassinet or pack n play right next to your bed works well. You can easily reach over and pick up your baby to feed him or her at night, but then place them back in their own space to sleep. Their bed (whether a crib, bassinet, pack n play, etc), should have a firm, flat mattress with a single fitted sheet. I strongly recommend using a swaddle sleep sack and/or wearable blanket during naps and bedtime. These products eliminate the risk of coming up over their face while they sleep, and regular blankets are not recommended due to the risk of suffocation. All other bedding, blankets, stuffed animals, etc should be removed from your baby's crib. The rule of thumb for dressing your baby appropriately to prevent hypo and hyperthermia is to dress them in the same amount of layers you are comfortable in, and during the cold months you can add one layer if needed. During the day, you can do tummy time with your little one while he or she is awake. This will help strengthen their muscles and give them some time off of their back. Swings, bouncers, boppies, etc are fine to use with supervision while your baby is awake, but once they fall asleep it is best to move them to a flat, safe surface. Pacifiers have actually been shown to help reduce the risk of SIDS. Once you have established breastfeeding, if that is the feeding method you are choosing, then feel free to offer a pacifier to your baby. However, do not force a pacifier in your baby's mouth if they are not actively wanting to take it. With three kids myself, I have experienced the full range from a baby who sleeps well at night but would not nap, to a baby who wouldn't sleep at all, to finally my third baby who is the best little sleeper I could ask for. I wish you the best in your motherhood journey and I hope this helps answer your questions, calm any fears and maybe even help provide quality sleep for you and your little one!
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