Certain sleep positions are safe for babies while others can greatly increase health risks to the baby. Sleep positioners are soft and large cushions designed to keep a baby sleeping on her back and in one place so that she doesn't roll around in the crib.
Definition of SIDS
The main danger associated with infant sleep positions is SIDS. SIDS, which stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, is a complicated and still misunderstood phenomenon. The American SIDS Institute states that the cause of SIDS is still unknown. When SIDS occurs, a baby under the age of one falls asleep, and for unknown reasons, cannot wake himself up; this results in the death of the baby. Sleep position is not the only factor in determining which babies die of SIDS, but it does relate.
Best Sleep Position
According to the American SIDS Institute, putting a baby to sleep on his back is the best sleeping position to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. It is not recommended for babies to sleep on their sides, and those who sleep on their stomachs have the highest rates of SIDS.
Definition of Sleep Positioners
Sleep positioners are devices that parents sometimes use to prevent babies from rolling over onto their stomachs during sleep. They have high edges, but a soft back, which is said to prevent the baby from rolling over onto his stomach. Sleep positioners are slightly larger than the baby, and fit easily into any crib.
Risks of Sleep Positioners
What to Expect, a parenting website from the authors of the bestselling book, "What to Expect When You're Expecting," recommends not using sleep positioners at all, stating that they can actually increase the risk of SIDS. This is because the soft materials in sleep positioners can cause rebreathing in the baby, which means the baby breathes in her own carbon dioxide. Rebreathing increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Other Ways to Prevent SIDS
Instead of using a sleep positioner in an attempt to prevent SIDS, parents can use other methods which are safer. The American SIDS Institute recommends avoiding extra clothing and dressing the baby in light clothes at night so that the baby won't overheat. They also recommend giving the baby a pacifier at night and getting rid of all pillows and stuffed animals in the crib to reduce SIDS risk.
