Introduction: What are the Most Important Safety Tips for Safe Sleep?
A baby’s sleep is important for their health and well-being. A good night’s sleep is essential for a baby to grow and develop properly. It’s also critical for parents and caregivers to have a good night’s rest so they’re always at their best!
It all comes down to making sure your baby is in an environment where they can sleep safely and securely. Plain and simple. No ifs, ands or buts about this. Safety is absolutely the priority.
We have a number of safe sleep tips for your baby that we’ll share with you today, including some best practices for ensuring your baby has the safest possible sleep. From sleeping positions, to what you should and shouldn’t have in your crib, to the safest baby sleepwear (like sleep sacks and wearable blankets), we have you covered.
What are the Different Sleeping Positions for Babies? Which Position is Best?
There are different sleeping positions for babies. Most parents don't know which one is best for their baby. Some think it doesn't matter, as long as the baby is comfortable and sound asleep.
Some believe the perfect position for a baby to sleep in is the "belly-to-the-side" position, also called the "tummy time" position, with their face turned to one side and arms by their sides. This is because it prevents flat head syndrome and allows them to move their arms more easily during sleep.
Others will say that babies should always be placed on their back when it’s time for sleep. In fact, both positions have plenty of pros.
Generally speaking, you are wise to keep your baby on their back from a very young age. Not only can it be uncomfortable for infants to sleep on their stomach, but it also allows them to wiggle their arms and legs freely - which in itself can often help soothe a young baby.
Once your baby has figured out how to roll over to their tummy - that’s usually a good indicator of the position they’ll be most comfortable! Often times you can simply follow your baby’s lead in this regard.
A sleeping baby, and a safe baby, is a happy baby!
5 Ways to Make your Baby Happy & Help Them Get Better Zzzs
Below are fiver ways to help your baby get better sleep.
1) Put them down drowsy but awake - allowing them to fall asleep on their own will let their brain develop its natural circadian rhythms.
2) Avoid rocking, feeding, or playing with babies - these things can keep infants awake longer than necessary.
3) Keep your newborn’s bedtime routine consistent - this will help them fall asleep easily and quickly every night.
4) Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool - it's important for babies to feel comfortable in order to stay asleep.
5) Use soft, safe and cozy sleep products - fabrics like organic cotton and bamboo rayon are soft on your baby’s skin and help regulate moisture.
Here are 8 items you’ll want to make sure you have as a part of your baby’s bedtime routine.
As your baby grows, their bedtime routine will change. There are some things in this list that you might want to have with you when your little one is in their crib for the night.
1) White noise machine / sound machine
2) Stuffed animals
3) Soothers / pacifiers
4) A variety of safe books for bedtime reading, or a board book that they can enjoy looking at over and over again
5) Soft light in their room, either from lamps or nightlights on the wall switch
6) A favourite stuffed animal to cuddle with, or a lovey they can hold on to when they’re feeling scared or upset while trying to sleep on their own for the first time.
7) Baby wipes / tissues to wipe away drool or milk before bedtime
8) Sleep sacks / sleep bags / wearable blankets
There are a lot of items that you will need for your new arrival, but one of the most important is a sleep sack or sleep bag. With plenty of options to choose from, it's easy to find the right one for your baby.
We’re obviously a little biased, but we believe our sleep sacks are the best in the industry. Not only are they incredible soft, cozy and durable. They are also made with OEKO-TEX 100 fabrics, non-toxic dyes and are designed and ethically made in Canada (Toronto, Ontario to be exact!). From 0.5 to 1.0 TOG sleep sacks, we have your baby covered from newborn through to 36 months (3 years).
