No one loves anyone as much as grandparents love their grandbabies. That is why it is important that grandparents learn all they can about keeping their grandbabies safe. A lot of things may have changed since you had your youngest child. Including the new pediatric recommendations for infant sleeping. Some may wonder why it matters, but it does!
Did you know? Before 1992 over 8,000 babies died of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths in the United States every year. Since changing the recommendation from stomach positioning to back positioning, that number has decreased by over half! Just by placing babies to sleep on their backs.
But what about the other 3,500 infants who die every year in the United States? Well, what we see is that babies are put on their backs to sleep, but are placed in unsafe sleeping environments. So what can you do help your grandbaby sleep safely?
REMEMBER THE ABCs OF SAFE SLEEP!
A, Alone – No bed-sharing. Infants should never be placed with a parent, sibling, or another caregiver. Nothing should ever be in the crib with an infant.
B, Back – An infant should never be placed to sleep on their side or stomach. Placing a baby to sleep on their stomach doubles the risk of death!
C, Crib – Infants should always sleep in a safety-approved crib, bassinet, portable crib; free of any soft objects (pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, and/or bumper pads). The crib mattress or portable crib mat should be firm with only a tight-fitted sheet.