Sleep Guidelines for Babies

A baby’s safety is a concern of every parent, and one such concern is your baby’s safety during sleep. Of course, how well you sleep also depends on your baby’s sleep. If your baby gets sound sleep, you too will have ample time rest. Unlike buying support bras for women, the kind of shopping in which you can try things on, shopping for baby needs understanding and awareness. Nonetheless, it is advisable to know what your baby needs, not just for comfort but also their safety. And safety is one factor to consider when creating a sleep environment for baby. This is why we should aways follow sleep guidelines.

How Much Sleep Does Your Baby Need?

Babies do not sleep for the same amount of hours as we do. Generally, they sleep for 16 hours a day, but with breaks after every 3 to 4 hours. Before their bodies get into a sleep pattern, they will stay awake for only an hour or two. Babies sleep for a few hours because they need to feed frequently for a period before their bodies adjust to normal body functioning. If you feel concerned in any way about your baby’s sleep, go ahead and consult a pediatrician.

Safety Measures For Baby’s Sleeping

It is recommended that baby sleep by themselves in either a bassinet or crib. Even if you have twins, lay them separately.

Below are some of the Dos and Don’ts for taking care of your little one.

• Ensure that the baby always sleeps on his back and a firm surface. To do this, ensure that the mattress has a tightly fitted sheet.
• Do not share the bed with the baby. Ensure that the baby has a separate crib or bassinet. Bed-sharing is one of the most common causes of death in infants under 3 months.
• Ensure bassinet or crib meets safety standards. Always ensure that the product meets the product safety standards of your country of residence. 
• Remove anything dangling near where your baby sleeps. Babies can easily get tangled in such and choke.
• Ensure to keep the room at a comfortable temperature for a newborn baby.

Things To Avoid

• Avoid using sleep positioners, which some people call these anti-roll pillows. Such items are dangerous can cause babies to die from suffocation.
• It is not wise to put your baby to sleep on a sofa, waterbed, soft mattress, or cushion.
• Avoid using bassinets or cribs that have drop-side rails. Babies can get stuck and choke.
• Ensure that you avoid using loose beddings, toys, crib bumpers, or any soft object in the baby’s crib. These can easily trap, strangle, or suffocate your baby.
• Do not allow your baby to sleep in the car seat, sling, or stroller for too long. And in case they do fall asleep, take them out and put them to sleep as soon as possible.

Bottom Line

A baby’s safety during sleep is every parent’s interest and, of course, responsibility. Understandably, you would be excited about having a newborn. You may want to buy so many things for the baby, but hold your horses for now. Infants require several safety measures, and you must exercise such measures.