Prevent Sudden Infant Death with these recommendations for safe sleeping positions for babies!

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a baby who dies suddenly without a definite cause. Some things are related to SIDS risk factors, such as the condition of a baby's crib or unsafe sleep patterns.

In 2016, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued recommendations on infant sleep safety to prevent SIDS. This recommendation is especially for babies under one year of age, the most vulnerable age group for SIDS.

Safe baby sleep recommendations

1. "Sleep on your back"

Babies must sleep on their backs whenever they sleep, day and night. Sleeping on your side or stomach is associated with a risk of SIDS.

Skin-to-skin, which is the mother lying down, the baby facing down on the mother's chest, is very useful for creating a bond between mother and baby. Skin to skin is always safe because the mother continues to interact with the baby and monitor it. If the mother needs to rest, the baby can sleep in the crib while lying down.

2. Use a sleeping pad that is hard enough

Use a sleeping mat that does not change shape when the baby is sleeping on it. There is concern that sleeping pills that are too soft and bendable to the baby's body may not close the airway if the baby turns around.

Avoid using pillows, blankets, or nursing pillows as baby bedding because they are not designed to support the baby's body.

Nowadays, many baby beds are for sale. They are mounted on a parent's bed or into a small bed that can be placed on a bed. Although this seems safe and convincing, there are no standard or safety studies for this product.

Stroller, car seat, bouncer or swing are not recommended as cradles, especially for babies under 4 months of age. Car seats are not designed to be used outside the car or placed on a table or bed. The surface of the table / bed that is different from the surface of the car seat can change the tendency of the car seat. This will affect the baby's position, the body may sag or the neck may bend, endangering the airways.

If you use a baby carrier, make sure the baby's face is facing up and not covered by a sling. After breastfeeding, straighten the baby's body and do not let it face the mother's body.
 
3. Sleep in one room but with different beds
Until the age of 1 year, it is recommended to place a baby bed in the parents' room. By being in the same room, parents can more easily monitor the baby, breastfeed as soon as the baby is hungry (breastfeeding) and provide comfort.

Not recommended to sleep in the same bed because adult beds are not safe for babies. If at night, the baby wakes up and is breastfed in a parent's bed, put him back in bed after finishing.

The sofa is very dangerous if used to sleep or put the baby to sleep. Babies can fall because the surface is uneven, so the airways can be covered by the soft surface of the couch, or even sandwiched between them.

Caring for babies is certainly very tiring, often mothers fall asleep while breastfeeding or holding their baby. The data shows that it is safer for the baby to let the mother fall asleep on the bed than on the couch. If the mother falls asleep, immediately bring the baby back to bed shortly after waking up.

4. Use good sized leaves and get rid of them

When investigating a number of SIDS cases, many found children died with faces covered with sheets. Therefore, it is important to use leaves of the right size so they are not easily attracted, displaced and cause wrinkles on the surface of the bed.

Also remove pillows, bolsters, blankets, dolls, and pillows to block the walls of the bed. The fewer items in the crib, the better. Even though many baby accessories are attractive and fun, they always put their safety first.

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