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The American Pediatric Association updated the guidelines for safe infant sleep in order to reduce the number of cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
The goal - creating simple and clear instructions about how and where the baby should be put to sleep, for maximum safety.
Breastfeeding reduces the risk of SIDS by about 70%, and helps strengthen baby's immune system. After breastfeeding is established, offer the baby a pacifier at bedtime. Non-breastfed babies can sleep with a pacifier from day one.
The AAP recommended that babies sleep in the same room as their parents until they are at least six months old (and preferably one year old). Sleeping in the same room reduces the chance of SIDS death by about 50%. The baby should be put to sleep on a separate sleeping surface from parents, such as a crib or cot. If the parent fell asleep together with the baby in big bed, move baby back to crib as soon as you notice.
Under no circumstances should a baby be put to sleep (alone or with a sleeping adult) on a sofa, armchair, soft pillow or other soft surface.
After feeding the baby, try and put them back in their bed, and not in yours.
If you think you may fall asleep during feeding, chose feeing in your bed rather than on chair or couch.
In an initiative called "Back to Sleep" the AAP decreed that the safest way for babies to sleep is on their backs, on a hard surface (at least until baby learns to roll over). Make sure that the sheet is very taut and secure on all sides.
When the baby is awake, you should work on strengthening neck muscles by practising "tummy time" - by putting baby on tummy, under the supervision of an adult. This should be done several times daily, in increasing amounts of time. Lying on the stomach is essential for the motor development of the baby.
It is important that the baby's sleeping place (cradle or bed) be completely empty, and without a bumper protector, blanket, pillows or soft dolls. These objects may block the flow of oxygen and cause overheating.
