Top 10 Safe Sleep Habits from Pediatrician Dr. Jennifer Shu
Monday, January 26th, 2009Top 10 Safe Sleep Habits from Pediatrician Dr. Jennifer Shu
Since the 1990s, the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) has gone down, most likely due to the practice of putting babies on their backs to sleep. Also called crib death, SIDS is one of the main causes of death in infants, striking more than 4,500 babies each year. SIDS peaks in infants ages 2 to 4 months and is highest during the winter months.
To aim for the safest sleep environment possible, here are the top 10 tips that I recommend to my patients:
1. Back to sleep. Put baby on her back every time she goes to sleep. Older advice to put baby on her side or tummy while sleeping is no longer recommended, as tummy sleeping has been linked with SIDS and babies placed on one side may roll onto the tummy. The safest place for baby to sleep is in a bassinet, cradle or crib that meets current safety standards. Crib slats should be no more than 2 3/8” wide and the mattress should fit snugly within the crib.
2. Spread the word. About 1 out of every 5 SIDS deaths occurs while under the care of someone other than a baby’s parent so make sure caregivers such as relatives, babysitters and childcare providers also know to put baby on her back to sleep. There is a much higher risk of SIDS in babies who normally sleep on their back but are then placed faced down to sleep.
3. Tummy to play. Give your baby some tummy time on a firm surface such as a carpeted floor while she’s awake and being supervised. Upper body strength can be helpful if baby accidentally rolls onto her tummy at night.
4. Breastfeed your baby. In addition to the many health and nutritional benefits of breastfeeding, nursing can reduce the risk of SIDS as well.
5. Keep loose objects out of the crib. If you choose to use a blanket, tuck it around the mattress or use it to swaddle baby, keeping her face and head uncovered.
6. Keep soft, fluffy objects out of the crib. Pillows should not be used for babies under one year. Also, remove thick crib bumpers and comforters, which may smother baby’s face.
7. Avoid overheating. Keep the room at a temperature that’s comfortable for an adult and dress baby lightly (such as in 1 or 2 layers of clothing).
8. Keep your home smoke-free. Chemicals from tobacco smoke may put babies at risk for SIDS. Encourage smokers in the household to quit if possible. Otherwise, smoke outside and then wash hands and change out of any clothing that may come in contact with baby upon coming back in.
9. Use a pacifier. Consider offering baby a pacifier when she falls asleep, although it is not necessary to replace it if it falls out during the night. If breastfeeding, it is a good idea to wait until baby is nursing well (usually around 1 month) before offering a pacifier.
10. Use a fan. One recent study showed that running a ceiling fan can keep a room ventilated and reduce the chance of SIDS.
About Dr. Jennifer Shu
Jennifer Shu, MD, is a pediatrician, author and mother in Atlanta. Her passion is educating parents on all topics relating to children. Dr. Shu is editor-in-chief of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) Baby & Child Health and co-author of the award-winning books Heading Home with Your Newborn and Food Fights, both published by the AAP.
An enthusiastic and experienced writer and public speaker, Dr. Shu is a medical expert on CNNHealth.com, a member of the Parents magazine Board of Advisors and an editorial advisor for the AAP’s Healthy Children doctor’s office publication. She has been featured as a guest expert on CNN, NBC Nightly News, Headline News, MSNBC and Discovery Health, as well as in Newsweek, US News & World Report, USA Today, US Weekly, and numerous parenting magazines, newspapers and medical publications.
Dr. Shu received her bachelor’s degree at the University of Virginia and her medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia. Dr. Shu completed her pediatric training and chief residency at the University of California in San Francisco. She has been a leader within the medical profession as a past national chairperson of the young physicians sections for both the American Medical Association (AMA) and the AAP.