4 Tips For Keeping Your Baby Safe As They Sleep

Now that you’re a parent, your life is probably much different. For some, the transition to parenthood is relatively smooth. They have the good fortune of having a child that sleeps and feeds well, allowing themselves to get more sleep as well.

Unfortunately, this is not the situation that many parents face. On top of everything you’re juggling as a new parent, worrying about your baby’s safety as they sleep shouldn’t be a concern. Here are a few tips for resting easy with a baby:

Tip #1:  Establish a Bedtime Routine

You’re not the only one that wants your baby to be safe. Your child wants to feel safe, too. In fact, it will be hard for them to sleep if they don’t!

One of the best things you can do is hold your child before bedtime so they can feel safe during the night after you set them down to sleep. Establishing a healthy sleep routine will also help tremendously. This can include bath time, putting on pajamas, reading a story, or simply picking a consistent bedtime.

Now, while I gave the tip to hold your baby, I didn’t say necessarily rock or bounce!  Focus on independent skills, so you don’t have to break habits down the road.  (Start here with this ultimate blog post:  Sleep Training Made Easy)

Tip #2:  Buy a Baby Monitor

Baby monitors are a no-brainer for most parents, especially if the child is sleeping in a separate room. 

It’s amazing that when I had my first baby, I had an audio only monitor! But once I moved to the video monitor, my peace of mind actually increased!

Baby monitors come in different varieties. Some allow you to see a live feed of your child, some are sound only, and some notify you if your baby wakes up. The latest trend is simple, sock-like devices that allow you to monitor your baby’s vitals, such as oxygen and temperature, alerting you to any unusual activity.

I personally wouldn’t recommend the device that monitors vitals since a false alarm is enough to freak you out. But, keeping your eyes on your baby via the monitor is an expense worth paying for.

Tip #3:  Your Baby’s Crib Should Have Nothing in it

Sure, that teddy bear or doll that your great-grandmother got for your baby is adorable, but in no way should it be in the bassinet when it’s bedtime. The safety risks are just too high and not worth taking the chance with your baby.  

Make sure to remove all toys and accessories before bedtime. This will ensure your child doesn’t suffocate or get exposed to dust and allergens as they sleep. Always keep the right sleep environment to make sure that your baby is safe.  

Tip #4:  Focus on Keeping Your Baby Well-Rested

If you’ve ever heard the phrase ‘sleep beget sleeps’, it’s true.

The more your baby sleeps, the better sleep they will get (and the more sleep you will get). In our on-the-go society, it’s easy for your baby to not get enough rest. Focusing on sleep will be worth the reward. Especially when dealing with multiple night wakings and short naps!

To start, keep the wake periods between naps short before you get overtired!

Conclusion

So there you have it, four tips to keep your baby safe as they sleep. Hopefully, these tips will help you get some rest knowing that your little one is sleeping safe and sound. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, consider a comprehensive sleep consultation to help get your baby (and you) the sleep they need.