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> Safe Infant Bedding Practices
As
recommended by First Candle/SIDS Alliance, the American
Academy of Pediatrics, Consumer Product Safety Commission
and National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development.
Tummy sleeping and soft, fluffy or loose
bedding can cause a dangerous buildup of carbon dioxide
(exhaled air) around a sleeping baby’s head and face.
Experts feel that this “rebreathing” of exhaled air is a
risk factor for SIDS and can trigger a
vulnerable baby
to die suddenly and unexpectedly.
A printer friendly version of
Safe Infant Bedding Practices
(PDF) is available to use as a handy reference or
handout.
In order to provide the safest environment
possible for your sleeping baby, First Candle/SIDS Alliance
reminds parents and caregivers to:
-
Place
your baby to sleep on his or her back at nighttime and
naptime. Use a firm tight-fitting mattress, in a safety
approved crib, covered only with a sheet.
-
Remove
all soft, fluffy or loose bedding and other objects from
your baby’s sleep area. This includes pillows,
blankets, quilts, comforters, soft or pillow-like
bumpers, wedges or positioners, sheepskins, stuffed toys
and other soft products.
-
Consider using a “wearable blanket”, or other
type sleeper, instead of loose blankets in your baby’s
crib.
-
Do not
place your baby to sleep on any soft surface such as a
quilt or blanket, sofa, waterbed, pillow, soft mattress
or mattress cover, chair, cushion, or beanbag.
-
Consider room sharing, i.e. placing the baby’s crib or
separate sleep surface along side the adult bed, in
order to maximize the benefits and minimize the dangers
associated with
bed sharing
(PDF).
-
Be
careful not to overheat your baby with excessive
clothing, bedding or room temperature (68-72� F) -
overheating has also been identified as a risk factor
for SIDS.
-
Educate grandparents, childcare providers, babysitters
and anyone that cares for your baby about the importance
of a safe sleep area.
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