Nearly 19,000 babies died in 2006 in the United States during the first month of life, according to the March of Dimes. While birth defects and complications related to premature birth account for a number of the deaths, ignorance by caregivers about child sleeping safety also contribute to this death rate. The National Institutes of Health also link Sudden Infant Death Syndrome to improper child sleep habits and nighttime clothing choices.
Function
Sleep, either nighttime or napping, provides the necessary time for a child's body to repair cell damage and to grow. Lack of sleep in children can result in bad behavior, temper tantrums and even hyperactivity, according to KidsHealth from Nemours. Making sleep a comforting and comfortable experience increases the chance for proper rest. Making sleep a safe haven is paramount for a caregiver.
Time Frame
The March of Dimes and the Centers for Disease Control note that babies should be put into cribs and bassinets facing the caregiver. The baby's back should be placed on a firm, safety-approved mattress. Newborns and infants should sleep in sacks or sleepers designed with separated leg openings that fit well so that the garment does not pinch or increase the risk of suffocation. All children, regardless of their ages, should wear sleep clothing that resists flame and fire, according to the March of Dimes.
Features
Baby cribs and child beds must be safely and securely designed to protect against injury and death. Bedding should be free from openings where the child's head could become lodged, or from parts that can be removed and swallowed. Caregivers should compare the baby's sleeping furniture against any crib or child bed recall. Checking a recall is easily done by looking at the serial numbers or model numbers listed on the bed's required tags and confirming the information on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's website.
Considerations
While stuffed animals and frilly baby blankets, pillows and crib bumpers might be given as shower or baby gifts for a newborn, these should never be used in a crib or bassinet, according to the March of Dimes. Sheets should fit tightly around a firm mattress that cannot be removed easily from the frame's corners. In cold weather, children should be dressed in sleepers but not covered with a blanket due to the risk of suffocation. Crib pads and pillows should never be placed in the child's sleeping area, since these add a risk of suffocation of the baby or toddler through the wedging of them against the bed or crib frame while the child is sleeping.
Expert Insight
While time spent lying on the tummy is important for a child to develop motor skills and strengthen arm and neck muscles, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development links incorrect child sleep habits to tragic death as a result of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, also known as SIDS. Babies placed on their stomachs to nap or sleep, according to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, are at greater risk for SIDS. The National Institutes of Health also cautions against allowing anyone to smoke around the children's sleep area, since second- and third-hand smoke are linked to health problems.
References
- National Institute of Child Health & Human Development: Safe Sleep for Your Baby
- National Institute of Child Health & Human Development: Tummy Time
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development: Safe Sleep for Your Baby
- KidsHealth from Nemours: Cosleeping and Your Baby
- University of Michigan Health System: Sleep Problems
