Safe Sleeping: The Benefits of Sleeping Bags and Preventing SIDS
Taking a glimpse of our little ones fall into a deep slumber. Their eyelids peacefully shut, oftentimes fluttering while they journey on an exciting trance. Watching them is like a vision of a paradisiacal prairie – like witnessing a breathtaking seascape. Seeing our babies enveloped in a profound sleep is like having a quick getaway — resembling the experience of being taken into a relaxing holiday like no other. There is a form of pure captivation and untainted relaxation that are present. As we stare to our babies’ innocence and tranquility, we take advantage of the moments that evoke two things: gratefulness and hope. We feel incredibly thankful to have been blessed with a perfect, astounding child that gives us a reason to live. A cherub that brings so much happiness into our lives. A gift who gives us the ability to dream, while strengthening our hope and faith for the future.
As parents, our definition of ultimate satisfaction and bliss is seeing our children happy, secure and in the pink of health. We make every effort to give them a comfortable life, a good education and a safe environment that they are worthy of. A loving home is where we nurture our kids and keep them protected. It is where we demonstrate love and where we instill values and virtues. This is their refuge where we create the foundation of their happiness and success.
Sadly, accidents — and worst, death — may happen within the confines of the home. A Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy or SUDI, SIDS or the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and other fatal sleep accidents are just some of the worst nightmares of parents.
According to Healthdirect : “In Australia in 2013, 117 babies died suddenly and unexpectedly, of those deaths, 54 were identified as SIDS. Despite these deaths, SIDS is rare and the risk of your baby dying from it is low. Most SIDS deaths happen during the first 3 months of a baby’s life.”
Despite the fact that the risk of a baby dying from SIDS is low, they said ‘risk’ is still present, and that we must do everything to ensure that we prevent the occurrence of SIDS and save our babies from this life-threatening event.
Here are some helpful safe sleeping tips that you could do to ensure your child’s safety during naptime or bedtime:
- Let them sleep in a cot or a crib with you, in a room, ideally from 6 months to 1 year of age. Do not let them sleep on a waterbed or a beanbag.
- Make sure that the mattress used on his cot is tight-fitting and firm. Avoid thick cot paddings. The barer your baby’s crib is, the better.
- The rates for SIDS among the babies of moms who smoked while pregnant, or after their babies are born are higher. Avoid smoking in your room that you share with your baby, or do not smoke at your baby’s room. Do not let anyone smoke near your baby either.
- Do not use excessive pillows, beddings and bumper pads, and do not leave stuffed toys in your baby’s cot on his sleep-time to avoid the risk of suffocation or strangulation.
- Dummies or pacifiers reduce the risk of SIDS. It is recommended that parents offer a dummy to their babies during their first year. Sucking on dummies may prevent the baby from falling into a deep sleep. Remember not to force a dummy to your baby if he/she is not interested in it or not yet ready for it.
- Make sure that you place your baby on his back while sleeping, and not on their sides or stomach. This prevents a possible airway obstruction. Back sleeping lowers the risk of SIDS. NICHD says that: “Compared with back sleeping, stomach sleeping carries between 1.7 and 12.9 times the risk of SIDS.” Stomach sleeping may also lead to your baby’s temperature getting to high.
- Breastfeeding lowers the risk of SIDS so it is best to breastfeed your baby, if you can.
- Avoid bedsharing. Sharing a bed with your baby or cosleeping may lead to accidental suffocation.
- Ensure that your baby does not get too hot or too cold. Do not overdress your baby. A very high or very low room temperature increases the risk of SIDS. Make sure that the room temperature is just about right, and that your little one is dressed comfortably.
- If your child gets chilly, do not use a blanket or a poorly fitted bedding to keep him warm. Swathe him in a receiving blanket. It is also advisable to use a sleeping bag instead, as blankets may hinder your tot’s breathing
Why Use Sleeping Bags?
Sleeping bags help babies and toddlers to settle well, especially when traveling. The use of sleeping bags is also strongly encouraged as sleeping bags have been proven to lower the risk of SIDS. Not only does it help in making your baby less fussy, but it is incredibly effective in maintaining your little one’s normal body temperature and provides the comfort that he needs for a calm and comfortable sleep, without the dangers of suffocation.
Planning for a safe sleeping arrangement can wondrously create a secure sleeping environment for our babies. By doing so, we lower the chances of sleep-related infant accidents and deaths. A good, safe and peaceful sleep is not only beneficial to the health and well-being of our child; it also gives us the serenity and peace of mind, as well as the feeling of fulfillment knowing that — albeit our imperfections — we are trying our best to provide our little ones with a happy life and safe environment that they deserve. That in itself is a marvelous accomplishment.
