Soft plush toys and blankets may be adorable, but sleeping infants shouldn’t cuddle up to them.
A recent study by the journal Pediatrics found that allowing infants to sleep on soft bedding can be a risk factor for sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUIDS). This study examined more than 4900 SUID cases that occurred between 2011 and 2017.
Of those cases, 72% occurred in an unsafe sleep environment. 75% of the explained and possible suffocation deaths occurred due to airway obstruction attributed to soft bedding.
Safe Sleep for Infants
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has created an excellent guide to safe sleep for infants. It recommends that babies sleep on their backs until their first birthday. If your baby can roll back to stomach and stomach to back, you do not need to turn your baby over if they roll to their stomach.
Make sure that the infant’s sleeping area is free of blankets, pillows, bumper pads, and plush toys. Rolling into these items could block the baby’s airflow. If the infant falls asleep in a car seat, sling, swing, or stroller, move them to a firm sleep surface on their back as soon as possible.
Whether you use a crib, bassinet, play yard, or portable crib, be sure it meets CPSC safety standards. The sleeping surface should include a tight-fitting, firm mattress as well as a fitted sheet designed for that item. Providing a pacifier at nap time and bedtime can help reduce the risk of SIDS, even if it falls out after the baby is asleep.
Shop Carefully
Some products claim to reduce the risk of SIDS. The AAP has not found wedges, special mattresses, or positioners to decrease the risk of SIDS. There has not been enough research on bedside or in-bed sleepers for a safety recommendation for or against these products.
Before purchasing items for your infant, especially for sleep or transportation, be sure to do your research. Check to make sure the items meet CSPC safety standards.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact the Schuerman Law office today. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. John Schuerman will compassionately advocate for injured individuals as well as their families while fighting for full compensation of their claims. Schuerman Law offers evening and weekend appointments in addition to home and hospital visits. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-274-0045.
