Safe Sleep for Babies in Cribs
Before sleep training or nursery designing or any other pressing baby-related things, the first thing we always want to think about is baby’s safety in their sleeping space! A tiny baby isn’t super mobile, and also can’t tell you if they are in distress, so it’s up to us to make sure that when we lay them down to sleep (and for a newborn who needs 16-20 hours of sleep out of every 24, that’s like…constantly) they are in the safest possible environment.
The last thing I want to do is stress you out or cause you anxiety that makes it difficult for you to sleep when the baby is sleeping - that’s not my intention.
However, I would be remiss if I didn’t share the real stuff when it comes to safety.
Unless you live under a rock you probably already know the “ABCs of Safe Sleep.” These are from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
A: Alone
B: On their Back
C: In a Crib
Let’s go into those a little further.
A: When I say “alone” I mean when you lay baby down there is nothing in their sleeping space with them. No toys, no blankets, no burp cloths, no soft bedding. Just the baby, on a firm mattress covered by a tightly-fitting sheet. They can have a pacifier if they need one.
B: On their back - you’ve probably seen the “back to sleep” campaigns. Research suggests that babies who sleep on their backs are less likely to fall victim to SIDS as well as suffocation hazards. If your baby is able to roll onto their tummy by themselves, that is fine. If you are concerned about your baby developing flat head spots due to always sleeping on their back, be sure to read my post about avoiding positional plagiocephaly!
C: In a crib - this can also be a bassinet or a pack & play. It just has to be a firm, flat mattress that fits tightly into the device, approved for safe sleep, that is in good condition.
Other Infant Sleep Safety Considerations
What about mesh crib bumpers? Those are safe because they’re not thick fabric, right?
Nope! We don’t want to have any bumpers of any kind in the crib. The issue with these is not so much that the baby could stick their face into the fabric and be smothered. The issue is that they would be rebreathing their own air, and a newborn cannot handle the carbon dioxide. Bumpers of any kind also pose risks of entrapment and strangulation due to the straps and strings involved.
But what about if my baby sticks their arm or leg into the crib slats, I’m worried they could get hurt?
A baby does not have the ability to exert the amount of force required to break their bone or sprain a muscle in crib slats. Crying in distress, or perhaps a small bruise or red mark, could potentially result. These are not even close to the potential risks of bumpers ;)
Is it okay to have a mobile over the crib?
I don’t recommend mobiles over the crib. They provide stimulation in a time and place where we want to remove all stimulation so that the baby can learn to sleep well. Once the baby learns to pull up on the side of the crib to stand, they can also grab the mobile and cause a potential choking or strangulation hazard. Find out where I recommend putting your crib mobile!
Is it okay to swaddle my baby with a blanket?
It is okay to tightly swaddle your baby with a muslin swaddling blanket. If they start to break out of the swaddle, or if you aren’t comfortable and confident in doing a nice tight blanket swaddle, consider using a swaddling product such as Nested Bean or Love to Dream. Read my thoughts on when to transition out of swaddling a baby.
Should my baby sleep in my room or in their nursery?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that the baby sleep in their parent’s room, but in their own separate sleeping space. In this case the parent can easily see and/or hear their baby if there is any distress, as well as convenience with nighttime feedings and diaper changes. However, it is a personal choice to allow babies to sleep in their nursery overnight, especially with helps like night nurses, Owlet monitors, and Nanit cameras available. Many families have the baby take naps alone in their nursery, and sleep in a bassinet in the master bedroom at night.