by Sara Jackson, CSW
Center for Safe & Healthy Families

If you have ever been around a baby, even for a short period of time, you know that babies have an amazing ability to fall asleep anywhere and in any position. In fact, a friend of mine recently showed me a video of her toddler driving a battery powered toy car and nodding off at the wheel.

They look so peaceful sleeping that we often go to great lengths to not disturb them and wake them. However angelic they may look, there are some sleeping dangers that are so important that is it worth risking disturbing the baby to ensure his/her safety.

Here are some of the sleeping don’ts’:

• Don’t place your baby on any soft, loosely filled surface such as blankets, pillows or polystyrene beads. These surface can mold to your baby’s face and interfere with his/her breathing
• Don’t allow hanging crib toys such as mobiles or crib gyms within your baby’s reach. Remove these when your baby begins to push up on his hands or knees or by the age of 5 months if you haven’t already. These types of toys can cause strangulation
• Don’t let your baby sleep on a waterbed
• Don’t use an infant sleep positioner (a mat with a soft, angled side meant to keep a baby on his/her back during sleep)These positioners have caused several deaths
• Don’t use thin plastic wrapping materials such as trash bags as mattress covers or near your baby. They can suffocate on these items.
• Don’t allow cords from window drapes/blinds near the crib and do not place any items with strings or small parts near the crib. These things can strangle or choke the baby.
• Don’t leave the baby alone on a couch or a bed.
• Don’t use a car seat or bouncy chair as your baby’s crib. Too much time in these seats can make your baby’s head flat.

Now to the fun stuff, the do’s!

• Always put your baby on his/her back to sleep and alternate which side of the head your baby lies on each time. Once your baby can roll over on his own, he can choose his own sleeping position
• Dress the baby in warm enough clothing instead of using blankets
• Keep the room temperature about 70°F
• Make sure your baby’s crib is in good condition and does not have drop-down sides
• Make sure the spaces between the bars of the crib are close enough together that you cannot fit a soda can between them
• Make sure the railing is at least 26 inches higher than the lowest level of mattress support so that your baby cannot climb out of the crib
• Make sure the space between the mattress and the crib is no more than 2 finger widths
• Place the crib next to an inside wall rather than an outside wall or window. Keep the crib away from radiators and air ducts. Air ducts can dry out your baby’s nose and throat, increasing susceptibility of respiratory problems
• Make sure that everyone who is caring for your baby follows these guidelines

To check the safety of your baby’s crib or other baby products, visit the Consumer Products Safety Administration website at www.cpsc.gov

Sara graduated with her Master’s in Social Work from Portland State University, and is a Certified Social Worker. She is currently working towards becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She moved to Salt Lake City and has been enjoying getting to know the Southwest. In her free time, she loves hiking, biking, running, taking her dogs to the park, speaking Spanish, learning about other cultures, cooking, and creating self-serve frozen yogurt creations.