Babies sleep up to 19 hours a day in the first few months. Spend more than half of the day in the crib. A safe sleeping environment for the baby is the prerequisite for healthy and restful sleep. Many parents are concerned that the child may die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Sudden infant death syndrome occurs frequently during sleep and is the most common cause of death in babies. The exact cause has not yet been determined. However, it has been found out that Safe sleeping environment Reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Dangers when sleeping in a baby crib can be avoided if parents follow some rules when sleeping.
Please also read our article Sudden infant death syndrome.
Which mattress is best?
Many parents think about buying the right mattress when buying the first baby equipment. Because at the beginning the baby sleeps a lot. Spends a lot of time in the baby bed. To create an optimal sleeping environment for the baby, there are only a few things to consider when purchasing a mattress. The mattress should breathable to allow optimal air circulation. This prevents heat buildup and the baby from overheating while sleeping. Because this is a risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome. In addition, care should be taken to ensure that the mattress not too soft is. The baby should not be able to sink in more than 2 cm. Because as soon as the baby is able to turn onto its stomach on its own, it can support itself by a firm base. (s. From when babies can turn?) Most mattresses have a removable cover. so the mattress can be easily cleaned if it gets dirty.
What to consider?
Infants should initially sleep in the supine position.
To avoid dangers when sleeping in a baby's crib, parents should keep a few things in mind. It is recommended that the baby sleeps in supine position to sleep. This can prevent the baby from suffocating during sleep. However, under supervision, the baby can also sleep in the prone position. The room temperature should be between 16 and 18 degrees lying. This prevents the baby from overheating. A suitable sleeping bag and a breathable mattress additionally prevent heat accumulation. Babies should be supported during sleep No cap or similar wear, this can also create a heat buildup. A crib should be limited by bars to prevent the baby from falling out while sleeping. On the parents' bed or the sofa, the baby should also sleep only under supervision or with a sufficient boundary so that it does not fall off. There should be no smoking in the room where the baby sleeps, or even better, in the whole house. Because nicotine increases the risk of dying from sudden infant death syndrome.
This belongs in the crib
For a restful and safe sleep the baby or toddler does not need many things in his crib. A suitable mattress belongs in the baby's bed, whether it is a cradle, bassinet or crib. The mattress should fit in the bed and not slide around, so that the baby can not slip between the bed and the mattress. A removable cover on the mattress saves a waterproof pad. Over the mattress belongs a suitable fitted sheet. The ends of the sheet should be tucked well under the mattress to prevent the baby from pulling the sheet up into his face. It is recommended a Sleeping bag Instead of using a blanket for the baby. This prevents the baby from slipping under the covers unnoticed. The risk of heat accumulation. Risk of suffocation is higher with a blanket than with a sleeping bag. Babies often feel lost in a crib when they are very small. A canopy over the bed or a nest can counteract it. However, care should be taken to ensure that the canopy and nesting well fastened and cannot be detached from baby.
This is NOT allowed in the baby bed
In order for the baby to sleep safely and even sometimes unsupervised in his own bed, a few things should be considered. Except for a mattress, cover and a sleeping bag should be in a crib nothing are. Above all Toys and small parts Should be during sleep from the bed become. Because there is a danger that babies and toddlers can put them in their mouths and choke on them. In general, children with small toys should not be left unattended. Furthermore no cuddly toys, Music boxes, loose sheets (also spit-up cloths) or additionally soft, fluffy blankets are in the baby bed. The child could pull them in front of his face during sleep and not get any more air. Moreover not necessary to put a pillow, a fur or another blanket under it. Because this can also create a heat buildup.
Waterproof pads
From today's perspective, a waterproof pad between the sheet and the mattress should be no longer recommended. Because waterproof also means that the carpet pad usually does not or only not very permeable to air Is, whereby the danger of a heat accumulation is given. Then even the best breathable mattress is of no use. To prevent sudden infant death syndrome is therefore recommended has no use a waterproof carpet pad. Therefore, when buying a mattress, it is advisable to make sure that it has a removable, washable cover has.
nest in the baby crib
In some studies, it has been found that using a nest in a baby's crib reduces a Risk factor for suffocation in the bed are. Because during sleep babies can come with their face against the nestle. Mouth and nose are covered by the nest, thus blocking the airways. The baby gets too little oxygen and can suffocate. If the nest is not sufficiently attached to the bed, there is a risk that the baby will pull the nest in front of its face. There is also a risk of suffocation. Therefore should be no nest be placed in the baby's crib.
Are bars dangerous?
Almost all baby and children's beds have bars.Nowadays, these are usually built in such a way that there is no danger to babies and toddlers. When buying a baby crib, care should be taken to ensure that the Distance between two adjacent bars is at least 45 mm and at the very most 65 mm. This ensures that the baby does not get its head stuck and suffocate. Furthermore, especially when buying a used bed, make sure that the bars are well attached and not damaged, so that the child can not loosen the bars themselves. Generally, care should be taken to ensure that the bed is no sharp edges or corners has any other objects that the baby could injure itself on. In addition, it should be made of a material that is safe for health, free of harmful substances and tested. So parents can be sure that the baby can sleep in a safe environment.
Which sleeping bag is the right one?
To reduce sleep hazards, parents are now advised to use a sleeping bag for their baby instead of pillows and blankets. Under blankets the child could wrap itself up unhappily and suffocate. In addition, blankets increase the risk of overheating. Thus of sudden infant death syndrome. In order to take advantage of the benefits of a sleeping bag for the baby, it should be given to the baby but fit properly. Because in a sleeping bag that is too big, the baby can slide down and no longer gets air. The right size for the sleeping bag is determined by the "formula": body length – head length + 10cm. There are also sleeping bags for summer and winter, which are then each made of a lighter or thicker fabric.