Safe Sleep Made Simple: What Every Parent Should Know About SIDS Prevention

Do you know what my baby slept in when I first bought her home? 

She slept next to our bed on a soft baby fold-out mattress bed (similar to the fold-out arm chairs for kids), a singlet and a onesie, and maybe a very lightweight Love to Dream suit. It was August in Margaret River (so, freezing) and our room was COLD. 

Is it any wonder she kept waking up crying?! 

Not only that, I am absolutely mortified now to have not known anything about safe sleep and SIDS recommendations for newborns. It was a completely inappropriate sleep space, and one thing that obviously did NOT set us up for success. 

(Oh, the things I now know!) 

Unfortunately, my little infant fold-out bed is not the only product out there that is unsafe for babies, but readily available. Other examples of unsafe baby sleep spaces include baby nest, pods or cocoons, bouncers, inclined sleepers, cot bumpers, infant pillows, side sleep wedges and hammocks. Beware the marketing!

According to SIDS guidelines, the safest place for your baby to sleep is in their own flat, firm and clear sleep space, and sleeping on their back. Room sharing is recommended for at least 4 months, optimally 6-12 months. This could look like a bassinet in the room, or right next to the big bed. 

Co-sleeping, with the baby in the big bed with mum or parents is not recommended. Having a bassinet that has a fold or drop down side that can be placed right next to the bed is a much safer alternative.

Why should your baby have a very firm mattress? 

The bassinet, crib or cot should have a firm mattress, firmer than an adults. The reasons for this are several:

1.  To ensure that your baby does not sink into it, placing them at risk of suffocation.

   
   

2. They support the very soft 300 bones that babies are born with, as opposed to the more developed 206 bones of adults.

   
   

3. To minimise carbon dioxide inhalation. When babies breathe out carbon dioxide, it is absorbed into the surrounding fibres instead of dissipating, and they then re-breathe the carbon dioxide and oxygen saturation can become too low. It is for this reason that cocoons and nests are not recommended, as well as them often also not being flat. 

Why should the mattress or sleep space be flat?

1. This is to avoid asphyxiation due to the position of a baby's head tilting forward, blocking their airways.

   
   

2. Inclined cots, hammocks, bouncers and car seats can all pose this risk. If your baby falls asleep in the car, this is ok, but remove them from the car when possible, or keep monitoring them closely. 

Why should the bassinet be clear of everything except the baby?

1. Newborn babies can be swaddled in a blanket appropriately, instead of using a blanket as a throw over. Otherwise if baby is wearing a sleep suit but needs the extra warmth, you can use a blanket if absolutely necessary, but only as long as their feet are down the end of the bassinet and the blanket is tucked in tightly at the bottom and sides so there is no risk of it untucking, or baby sliding further down so it covers their face.

   
   

2. Keep all toys and loveys out of the cot until your baby is unswaddled and old enough to intentionally move objects out of the way.

   
   

3. Do not use bumper pads as they have a suffocation and strangulation risk — even the mesh ones. 

Essentially, keep it simple. Use a bassinet or crib in your bedroom with a quality firm mattress (see low tox options if possible), wrap your baby in a swaddle or an infant sleep suit that is appropriate to the temperature of the room, and that is it.