Should I use a sleep sack? What is a baby sleeping bag? In a word: yes. Putting your baby in a sleep sack – sometimes called a baby sleeping bag – is a great way to ensure that your baby is warm enough without worrying about the safety risk of using blankets. It may also be a good [...]
Are co-sleepers safe? A recent study looking at the safety of co-sleepers, which include infant bedside sleepers (they typically attach to the bed) and in bed sleepers (such as baby boxes), found that many of the reported adverse events that occurred while using a co-sleeper was due to improper use [...]
What should I consider when deciding whether or not to bed-share, with or without a “safe co-sleeper?” The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing. If for personal or cultural reasons a caregiver wants to sleep near his or her infant, then using a [...]
Is it safe to swaddle my baby? According to a review of studies looking at the risks and benefits of swaddling healthy infants, swaddling has little risk to a baby if certain safety precautions are taken. These safety measures include making sure a baby is swaddled securely, placing a baby on his [...]
When can she lie on her stomach? All babies should sleep on their backs during the first year of life. This is important for naps in the day as well as at night-time and helps prevent sudden infant death syndrome (or SIDS). There are only a few simple rules to follow to protect your baby – see [...]
Why is my baby very restless when he sleeps? All children have natural brief awakenings in the night as they journey through sleep. If you are watching your baby sleep, you may notice him change position – if he is old enough he may sit up, rub his eyes, and then settle down again. This happens [...]
Does sharing a bed with my child affect the risk of SIDS? Extensive research across the world has identified very clear risk factors for SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and, importantly, ways that parents can reduce the chance of this happening. Without a doubt, sharing a bed increases the risk [...]
My baby is developing a flat spot from always sleeping on his back. What can I do? If you are concerned that your baby is developing a flat spot as a result of always sleeping on her back, you can reposition or reorient your baby to more evenly distribute your baby’s head weight helping to [...]
Is a baby sleep positioner helpful? Why are they used? Baby positioners should never be used. They can cause suffocation (be unable to breathe). Some manufactures may imply that baby sleep positioners can reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), but the Federal Food and Drug [...]
What’s the best sleepwear for my baby? The most important thing in sleepwear is to avoid over heating your baby because over heating is associated with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). As such, natural fibers such as cotton are often best for sleepwear. Babies should not wear any head [...]