Safe Baby Crib Advice
by: Virginia Slate on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 at: 9:43 AM Go to: Previous Article Next Article
Nothing seems worse than having your infant pass away while she sleeps or takes a nap. Each year in the U.S. alone, 2,500 deaths are attributed to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Whether you like to think about it or not, preventing this awful occurrence from happening is one of the most important jobs you'll have as a parent or guardian.
No one knows which infants are more at risk for SIDS because no one knows medically what causes some babies to be affected while others are not. In any case, most experts agree that letting your baby sleep on her stomach is not a good idea. The best thing is to let your infant sleep on her back which allows for better breathing and air flow. In 1983, the SIDS Institute started the Back to Sleep campaign and since then infant deaths associated with the syndrome dropped significantly by 50%. Here's a few more things you can do
1. Do not use soft bedding in your baby's sleep area. Your baby should only be allowed to sleep on a firm mattress with sheets that are tight fitting. Do not put anything else in your baby's crib besides the infant. No pillows, stuffed animals, blankets, covers, toys, or positional devices.
2. Newborn babies should only sleep in cribs. Adult beds are dangerous for infants because they can easily be suffocated by all the blankets and the mattresses are not firm enough. Babies should also not sleep on waterbeds, air mattresses, bean bags, pillows, quilts, or couches.
3. Keep your baby away from cigarette smoke. The risk of SIDS increases along with the babies exposure to smoke. Don't allow friends or family members to smoke around your baby and avoid taking your baby to public places where other people might be smoking.
4. Resist the urge to put lots of layers on your baby before bedtime. A higher than normal body temperature can put your infant at higher risk for SIDS. The baby's room should be kept at a comfortable 70 degrees. If your infant feels hot to the touch or is sweating he may be too warm.
5. New cribs are safest. You may save money by purchasing an old crib or using a heirloom item but you never really know how safe that piece of furniture might be. New baby cribs can be found online for cheap prices. It's always better to be safe than sorry if it comes to this important item for your newborn.
About the Author
Virginia likes to write about baby cribs furniture and helps parents find the best baby cribs online.
Article Source: The -One Article Directory-
Print View Total views: 7 Word Count: 419 - 0 comments
