Busting Safe Sleep Myths
In Sarasota County October is recognized as Infant Safe Sleep Month. Unsafe sleep situations are the number one cause of death for children under the age of 1 year in Florida. Thanks to collaborative efforts from agencies and organizations throughout the county, the number of babies who die locally from unsafe sleep situations has dropped in recent years. Despite local efforts, several myths are still common.
Myth 1: Crib bumpers are safe and necessary.
Crib bumpers may seem like a cute way to decorate your baby’s crib while protecting your baby from bumping into the crib rails, but they are actually a safety hazard. Bumpers and other bedding like blankets, pillows, comforters, and stuffed animals increase your baby’s risk of suffocation. All your baby’s crib needs is a tightly fitted sheet. If you are concerned about your baby staying warm, use a sleep sac or similarly approved sleeping wear.
Myth 2: It’s safe for siblings to sleep together from a very young age.
While it’s cute to see your children cuddling, babies should sleep alone in their own crib until they are old enough to transition to a bed – generally around 2 years or older. Siblings, pets, other children, or adults pose a rollover or suffocation risk to babies and should sleep in their own beds.
Myth 3: It’s fine to put baby to sleep in a car seat.
While car seats are essential when you are driving – and babies routinely drift off with the lulling motion of the car – placing your baby to sleep in a car seat while it is not correctly installed in a vehicle can be a safety risk. Babies should sleep in a crib or bassinet until they are old enough to transition to a bed at around 2 years or older. Couches, chairs, bouncy seats, or car seats are not safe to use for routine sleep.
Myth 4: Babies can be put to sleep in any position.
The safest position for babies to sleep is on their back. This message should be communicated with anyone who cares for your baby, especially grandparents, as the recommendations have changed since our parents had children. Because of campaigns like Back to Sleep (now Safe to Sleep), sleep-related infant deaths have dropped by half.
Myth 5: Sleep positioners are safe ways to make sure babies sleep on their back.
Sleep positioners can pose a safety hazard and should not be used. Babies should be placed on their backs to sleep with nothing else in the crib other than a tightly fitted crib sheet. If your baby changes position while sleeping, there is no need to reposition them if they can roll over and back on their own while awake.
If you or a caregiver would like additional information about safe sleep, contact the Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County at 941-373-7070 or stop by our Pregnancy Resource Room at 1750 17th Street, Building A, Sarasota, FL 34234.
