I’m a baby pro, why your baby should always sleep at the bottom of their crib and not in the middle
A BABY expert has advised that you should always place your baby to sleep at the bottom of their cot.
TikTok user @ewanandfriends, who runs a baby sleep company, revealed the risks if they sleep in the middle of their crib.
She explained: “A lot of people are asking why feet to the foot of the crib?”
Using a doll, she continued: “In this demonstration you can see that the baby’s at the top of the crib with a blanket.
“Even the youngest of babies can easily wriggle down underneath the blanket.
“Leading to the danger of them overheating.
“When a baby overheats it can increase the risk of SIDS [sudden infant death syndrome].
“Tuck the blanket in firmly around all 3 sides making sure it is not above shoulder height.
“An ideal safer alternative is to use a baby sleeping bag.”
NHS Inform backs this up saying: “Always put them [babies’] feet first at the bottom of the cot so they can’t wriggle down and get caught under the blankets.”
To reduce the risk of cot death or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), babies should also always be put to sleep on their backs.
People were quick to take to the comments, with one saying: “This tip is gold. Not many know about it.”
Another added: “This is why I will only ever use sleep sacks.”
WHAT IS SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME?
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently healthy baby.
In the UK, just under 300 babies die suddenly and unexpectedly every year.
This statistic may sound alarming, but SIDS is rare and the risk of your baby dying from it is low.
Most deaths happen during the first six months of a baby’s life.
Infants born prematurely or with a low birthweight are at greater risk.
SIDS also tends to be slightly more common in baby boys.
What causes SIDS?
The exact cause is unknown.
Experts believe SIDS occurs at a particular stage in a baby’s development, and that it affects babies who are vulnerable to certain environmental stresses.
Environmental stresses could include tobacco smoke, getting tangled in bedding, a minor illness or a breathing obstruction.
There is also thought to be a link with co-sleeping – sleeping with your baby on a bed, sofa or chair.
Babies who die of SIDS are thought to have problems in the way they respond to these stresses and how they regulate their heart rate, breathing and temperature.
How can you reduce your baby’s risk?
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep
- Place your baby in the “feet to foot” position, with their feet touching the end of the cot, Moses basket, or pram
- Keep your baby’s head uncovered. Their blanket should be tucked in no higher than their shoulders.
- Let your baby sleep in a cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first six months.
- Use a mattress that’s firm, flat, waterproof and in good condition.
- Breastfeed your baby
- Don’t smoke during pregnancy or let anyone smoke in the same room as your baby
- Don’t sleep on a bed, sofa or armchair with your baby
- Don’t let your baby get too hot or too cold