Sleep Tips and Sleep Aids: Safe Sleep Spaces
Safe sleep IS important!
Safe sleep, we all hear that all the time, but what is safe sleep? Is it really that important? Does it matter?
Yes, safe sleep matters and it is important that your baby sleep safely, because we want your baby to live and be safe.
The AAP is our go to on safe sleep guidelines, as are they the go to for just about every parenting need out there. Many consider them to be the authority on the do’s dont’s expectations and latest research for families and their babies.
Why is safe sleep so hard for parents?
Safe sleep can be difficult for many parents because keeping your baby in a safe environment, without all the fluff and frills often means they wake more, which is for safety and nutritional needs, which means in the first few months of your baby’s life… you are exhausted.
Yes, sleeping them surrounded by a bunch of blankets with a pillow, or strapping them into a shaking/rocking snoo suppresses their startle reflex and forces them to sleep longer than intended. Newborns need to wake often to feed and be able to startle awake if needed, and a bunch of blankets and rolled up towels really hinders that. Yes, it does make your baby sleep longer, but for the reasons listed above. Some babies survive unsafe sleep spaces and some do not.
How can you get sleep with a newborn?
How can you get sleep with a newborn when they will not sleep for longer than 2-3 hour stretches, then they are up for 45 minutes to feed and then the cycle continues. It is exhausting, there is no denying that, but overnight care from Postpartum Doulas or Newborn Care Specialists or family/friends should be an option that you seriously consider before you baby/babies arrive or after if you are exhausted.
Parents really should not do this alone, but that is what society has conditioned us to think and tired exhausted parents put their babies in un safe sleep spaces out of desperation to get more sleep. Ask for help, accept help and hire help if needed.
What is safe sleep?
Safe sleep for your baby under 1 year is in a crib or bassinet or pack n play (that is safe sleep approved) by themselves, twins should sleep separate, the surface should be firm and flat, no pillows, blankets, bumpers, or stuffed animals (appropriate for older babies) and on their back until they can roll and put themselves on their tummy. The AAP has a complete guideline for safe sleep and updates as needed to help parents keep their babies safe and reduce the risk of SIDS.
Countdown to sleep training!
Not every parent will choose to sleep train their baby when they are old enough, but if you are struggling with sleep and desperate for more sleep, count down to when you can safely sleep train your baby. Some methods can start after 3 months, but 4-6 months is the optimal window and best time to sleep train your baby. It solidifies good sleep early on, enables you to have a shorter window of junky sleep and gets everyone the sleep they need sooner rather than later.
If you are struggling with safe sleep, no matter where you are in the world, reach out to us and we will connect you with some help!