The Dos and Don'ts of Safe Sleep for Babies

With September being Baby Safety Month, it's the perfect time to ensure that your baby is sleeping safely. Whether it's using a bedside bassinet instead of bed-sharing or not having loose items in the bassinet, here are some do's and don'ts for your baby's sleep. 

Bedside Bassinet

Don't: Bed Share

Bed-sharing is dangerous. You should only have your baby in bed when you are feeding or comforting your little one. Once feeding is over, or they're comfortable and ready to go back to sleep, put them back into their own sleeping space, free of toys, pillows, blankets, and all other loose items.

Do: Room Share with a Bedside Bassinet

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that you should room-share for the first six months, ideally up to a year. This is where a bedside bassinet comes in handy, as it will help keep your baby close by without the dangers associated with bed-sharing. You can even find a twin bassinet that will sit next to your bed and has a mesh wall to safely separate your twins while still giving them the closeness they crave.

Don't: Use Loose Blankets

Loose blankets are very dangerous in bassinets and cribs. Pillows, quilts, comforters, toys, blankets, bumper pads, and similar items that may attach to the crib's slats or sides all pose a danger. Your baby could become trapped in them, which can be deadly.

Do: Use a Sleeping Bag

If you are worried about your baby being cold during a nap or at night, use a sleeping bag. These are like wearable blankets. Some may swaddle your baby's arms to prevent the startle reflex, while others may let your baby's arms move freely.

Don't: Use a Crib with Short Walls

A crib with short walls means that once your baby can stand up in their crib, they can crawl out. This could lead to them getting hurt. An adjustable crib can work well instead.

Do: Have Your Baby Sleep on Their Back

For the first year of your baby's life, they should sleep on their back. Even if they have started to roll, you should always place your baby down to sleep on their back. If they can roll back over themselves, from both tummy to back and back to tummy, you can leave them if they roll over.

Don't: Have Your Baby Sleep in Car Seat

Your baby can fall asleep in a car seat, stroller, sling, carrier, or swing, but they should be moved as soon as possible. Do not let them sleep in a car seat or other non-firm surfaces for longer than necessary to move them.

Do: Use a Firm Surface

Babies should always sleep on a firm surface. A crib, portable crib, bassinet, or play yard that meets safety standards should be used with a tight-fitting, firm mattress with a fitted sheet designed for that specific product.

About HALO® Sleep

HALO® Sleep's goal, as one of the most trusted and well-known brands for high-quality infant sleep solutions and products, is to educate parents, equipping them with essential tools to help ensure their babies sleep safely and soundly. The HALO® Sleep team is always working and innovating safe, comfortable products for infants and toddlers, from a twin bassinet that keeps twins close but safely separate to a bassinet that vibrates and keeps your baby near you. HALO® Sleep is also well known for their SleepSack® Swaddles, the choice of many hospitals. HALO® Sleep dedicates a portion of its proceeds to educational efforts. The team also partners with leading infant health and safety organizations.

Shop for sleep essentials for your next road trip from HALO® Sleep at Halosleep.com

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