107. Getting To Know Your Baby

The safest sleeping position for your baby is on their back. Since the Canadian Pediatric Society started recommending that babies sleep on their backs, rates of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) have dropped by 40%. However, as babies now spend long periods of time on their backs, the number of babies developing flat areas on their heads has increased.

Keep safety in mind when choosing a place for your baby to sleep. The Canadian Pediatric Society recommends that for the first year of life, the safest place for babies to sleep is in their own crib; one that meets Canadian Government Safety Standards. They also recommend that a baby be kept in the parent’s room for the first six months.

Your baby’s crib or cradle should have:

• A firm, flat mattress that is in good condition and fits snugly into the crib or cradle. If you can fit two fingers between the mattress and the side of the crib, the mattress is too small.
• Mattress supports securely attached to the crib frame
• A tight fitting bottom sheet
• Slats (railings) that are no more than six cm (2 3/8 inches) apart
• Crib sides that are tightly locked when in the up position
• A manufacturer’s sticker that states the crib or cradle was made after September 1986. Cribs or cradles made after that date meet Canadian Safety Standards. All cribs should be checked regularly for safety (especially secondhand cribs).

Bassinets are made for babies who are under three months old and weigh less than 10 kg (22 lbs.). The largest size for a bassinet is 50 cm (20 inches) wide and 90 cm (35 inches) long. The mattress should be firm and fit snugly. You should stop using the bassinet when your baby:

• Is over three months old, or;
• Is over 10 kg (22 lbs), or;
• Can roll over, push up on his or her hands and knees or sit up

Cribs, cradles or bassinets should be away from long mobiles and blind and curtain cords (your baby may become tangled in the cords and be strangled).

Car seats are for keeping babies safe during travel. Car seats and infant carriers should not replace the crib for your baby’s sleep.

Your baby should NOT sleep with:

• Pillows
• Plastic mattress covers
• Comforters, quilts, heavy blankets or sheepskins
• Blankets or towels over their head
• Bumper pads
• Stuffed animals or toys
• Positioning devices, such as wedges or rolled up towels or blankets
• Baby bottles (they may cause choking and increase the risk of early childhood tooth decay)

Keep your baby (asleep or awake) in a smoke-free environment. Smoking is a major risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Make sure no one smokes around your baby – in your home, car or when you are out anywhere else with your baby

Avoid places that are not designed for infant sleep. They can put your baby at risk for falls, suffocation, getting wedged between structures or having someone else roll onto them. Places not designed for baby’s sleep are:

• Air mattresses
• Sofas, armchairs, recliners and loose cushions
• Soft surfaces, such as a waterbed, bean bag chair, feather mattress or down comforter
• Adult beds
• Sibling’s beds
• Devices, sometimes called ‘sidecars’ (either manufactured or home-made), that attach to adult beds as an alternative place for baby to sleep

Avoid letting your baby get too hot:

• Put your baby in a sleeper with a light cover for sleeping – never cover your baby’s face. Babies are usually comfortable in the same amount of clothing adults are wearing.
• Room temperature should not be too hot, if the room temperature is comfortable for you, then it is also comfortable for your baby.
• Apnea monitors (machines that alarm if a baby stops breathing) should be used only when recommended by your doctor.

Some mothers find bringing their baby into bed helps with breastfeeding. However, it is easy to fall asleep while breastfeeding, especially when lying down. After you feed, comfort and cuddle your baby, you are advised to put your baby back to sleep in his or her own crib, close to you.

When a baby shares a sleeping surface with another person, it is called bed-sharing. Having your baby’s crib in the room where you sleep is called room-sharing. Bed-sharing is not advised by the Canadian Pediatric Society. Room-sharing is a safe option. Room-sharing helps protect your baby against sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and can make night-time feeding easier. Talk to your public health nurse for tips on room-sharing and breastfeeding.

Here are some important things to think about before you take your baby into bed with you:

• Your baby should be placed on his or her back to sleep
• The mattress must be firm and flat
• Make sure your baby cannot fall out of bed or get stuck between the mattress and the wall, the headboard or the footboard
• The room must not be too hot and your baby should not be overdressed
• No heavy covers and no covers over the baby’s head
• Make sure your baby cannot wriggle into or under a pillow
• Your baby must not be left alone in or on the bed because even very young babies can wriggle into dangerous positions
• Your partner should know when your baby is in the bed
• If another child is also sharing your bed, you should sleep between the child and the baby
• Do not allow a pet to sleep in a bed with your baby
• Do not bed-share in the early months if your baby was born preterm, was small at birth or if he has a fever.

 You should never sleep with your baby in your bed if you (or any other person in the bed):

• Are a smoker, even if you never smoke in bed
• Are obese
• Are overtired to a point where you would find it hard to respond to your baby
• Have any illness or condition that affects your awareness of your baby
• Have taken any alcohol or drugs (over-the-counter, prescription, or street drugs), especially those that make you very sleepy or less able to respond