Safe Sleep For Your Infant
 What's The Meaning Of - Safe Sleep - For Your Baby?
You should follow the guidelines to ensure your baby's safe sleep. If your baby have a safe sleep, the risk of SIDS gets lessened.
How Much Sleep Is Required By Your Baby ?
If your baby remains awakened for 2 to 3 hours, you shouldn't be worried. As your baby gets into a sleep pattern, he/she will sleep for more hours. But, if your baby doesn't sleep and cries continuously, then you should consult a paediatrician.
For the first six months, you can keep the crib of your baby near your bed. But, you shouldn't share your bed with the baby.
2. You should avoid soft surfaces or slings as the bed for your baby's sleep. Soft surfaces or sofa may obstruct the proper air to your baby's nose. This may suffocate him/her.
For the safe sleep of your baby, you should know certain things. The proper way to put your baby to sleep is really important.
1. You should put your baby to sleep on his/her back. You should continue this until he/she is one years old. Once your baby can roll and he/she can change his/her position during the sleep, you can stop doing this. But, before that your baby shouldn't be sleeping on his/her tummy.
2. Light dressing is necessary for a good sleep. For a safe sleep, the dress shouldn't have any loose strings or loose parts.
3. You can cover your baby in a thin blanket. But, there are some restrictions before you do this.
If your baby begins to change positions in his/her sleep, you shouldn't cover the blanket. Because, if your baby rolls, he'she can wrap himself/herself in the blanket and this can result into SIDS.
4. A pacifier is a dummy of breast feeding. When your baby gets used to breast feeding, you can give your baby a pacifier.
You shouldn't use any string to hung the pacifier around your baby's neck. You must not force your baby to keep the pacifier in his/her mouth.
5. Some people use monitors to check the heart rate and the breathing of the baby's. This is only required in some rare medical conditions. SIDS has almost no connection with this type monitoring. So, you can only use this after consulting a paediatrician.
How can a bedtime routine help a baby to sleep?
When your baby is 6 months old, you can make a routine for your baby's sleep.
A routine will provide your baby a good and orderly sleep.
But, before this you should know, how to make a routine for your bay's sleep.
1. You should turn off the bright lights and you should turn on a dim light.
2. You should turn off any sound of music or TV.
3. A lullaby can be of a great help.
4. You can provide your baby a bath in the lukewarm water.
5. You may gently pat on your baby's back.
6. A pacifier may be used for a good sleep.
7. You should strictly follow a time to put your baby to sleep.
The above guidelines and information are for the safe sleep of your baby. If you find that your baby is not sleeping and continuously crying, you should contact a paediatrician.
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