Do you know what “safe sleep” means for an infant? Well, it’s changed a lot over the years. Back in 10,000 B.C. the perfect night’s rest was animal skin covering leaves and straws.
Now, safe sleep looks a little different. We know so much more about what a safe sleeping environment for baby looks like, and as a result, we need to adapt and change some of our habits. But don’t worry; KID is here to share the best practices and most up to date safe sleep information. Below are some helpful tips for infant safe sleep:
- Make sure to buy a crib made after June 28, 2011. These cribs meet the strongest safety standards in the world.
- Lay the infant on their back for sleep, but don’t worry about repositioning if they turn over on their own
- Follow the Bare is Best! motto and keep only a tight fitting mattress covered with a fitted sheet the crib
- Sleep in the same room as your grandbaby (room sharing) but not in the same bed as the baby (bed sharing) or on any surface other than a safety tested crib, bassinet or portable crib.
- Keep baby and the crib away from any cords – window blinds, monitors, or others.
- Practice safe sleep every time baby sleeps- including times baby sleeps over
For more information about safe sleep awareness month, check out KID’s blog and our safe sleep flyer. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for up to the minute safety news and recent recalls.
Kids In Danger (KID) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting children by improving children’s product safety. KID was founded in 1998 by the parents of sixteen-month-old Danny Keysar who died when a portable crib collapsed around his neck in his Chicago childcare home. Although the portable crib had been recalled five years earlier, word of its danger had not reached Danny’s parents, caregiver, or a state inspector who visited the home just eight days before Danny’s death.
To date, 19 children have died in cribs of similar faulty design. And portable cribs are just one of the myriad children’s products that may prove to be dangerous.
