9 Things You Need to Know About the New Safe Sleeping Guidelines for Your Baby
You’ve read the books. You’ve read the blogs. And now you are totally and completely on top of everything that you’ll ever need to know about being a new mama… at least, that’s what you thought! We all know that the world of parenting is, well, confusing, and there’s always “breaking news” that changes how to keep your kiddo happy and healthy. This time is no different — the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently announced new safe sleep recommendations to protect your baby against SIDS. Check out what’s old, what’s new and what you absolutely need to do.
1. Sleep in. No, not sleeping later (like you’ll ever get to sleep ‘til noon again). Sleeping in (when it comes to SIDS protection) now means sleeping with your baby in the room. This is one of the major new takeaways from the updated guidelines. The AAP now recommends that infants and parents sleep in the same room for at least the first six months. Ideally, you’ll sleep in the same room as your little one until her first birthday.
2. But don’t sleep with. Don’t take the idea that baby should sleep with you literally. Yes, she should sleep in the same room as you but not in the same bed. The AAP’s update notes that an infant should sleep on a “separate surface.” This means that you get the California king bed, and baby gets her crib or bassinet.
3. Go back to the back. While this isn’t a new “rule,” it is still very much included in the AAP’s 2016 release of their safe sleeping recommendations. When you put baby down in her crib or bassinet, she needs to be on her back — at least until she’s one year old.
4. Be firm. The thought of collapsing into a feathery soft bed at the end of the day makes you let out an audible sigh of relief. Just because you enjoy a bed that feels more like your kitten’s belly than a concrete slab doesn’t mean your baby needs the same spongy-soft surface. The AAP recommends that all babies sleep on firm surfaces. You don’t need to line the bottom of baby’s crib with wooden planks — a firm crib mattress will do. Nix the notion of a mattress with give (this includes avoiding memory foam).
5. Use less stuff. Wrapping your teeny tiny newborn up in a comfy blanket and filling her crib with plush stuffies may seem okay, but it’s not. In keeping with the firm sleeping surface idea, you also want to avoid anything extra in your baby’s crib (or bassinet). Keep the blankets, comforters, quilts, bumper pads, pillows, toys, stuffed animals and real animals far, far away. Sure, it’s tempting to stuff the crib with absolutely adorable designer bedding, but the danger to your child just isn’t worth it.
6. Don’t pass on the pacifier. According to the AAP, studies show that pacifiers (when given at nap or sleep times) have a protective effect when it comes to SIDS. Do the docs know why? Not entirely. What they do know is that the evidence points to pacis as helpful. Keep in mind, you should never give your baby a pacifier on a string or anything similar (especially anything that hangs around the baby’s neck). This poses a serious strangulation hazard and should always be avoided.
7. Opt out of overheating. So baby can’t have a blanket while she sleeps and now you’re freaking out because she’ll get a chill. You want her to stay warm, so you dress her in a zillion layers. Right? Wrong! Avoid overheating (whether it’s by how you dress your baby or cranking up the heater). The AAP says that babies should be dressed for the environment, and never add more than one extra layer of clothing to her sleeping outfit.
8. Don’t rely on hype. Your BFF’s cousin’s girlfriend’s sister told you about a cardiorespiratory monitor that she swears by. She said it’s the top tech, and totally eases her mind. Hold on — the AAP says that while these devices reduce the risk of SIDS when used in hospitals and at home as prescribed (by a medical pro) for sleep apnea or bradycardia, they haven’t seen much evidence supporting the general use of commercial versions. Instead of relying on toy-like tech devices to alert you of an issue, focus on following the AAP recommendations to prevent a problem (or reduce the risk).
9. Stop smoking: Do we really still need to say this? Maybe. Smoking during pregnancy and/or around a baby raises the risk of SIDS, according to the AAP.
What do you think of the AAP’s new recommendation to sleep with your baby in the same room? Share your thoughts and tweet us @BritandCo !
(Photos via Getty)
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.