Why should babies not sleep on soft surfaces?

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asked May 3, 2022 in Baby/Newborn by 888sesar (960 points)
Why should babies not sleep on soft surfaces?

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answered May 4, 2022 by AngieSmit (24,390 points)
Babies should not sleep on soft surfaces because it increases the risk of SIDS or suffocation.

Babies under 1 year old should sleep on a firm surface without any pillows or blankets.

Placing babies on unsafe surfaces for sleep encourages chin to chest positioning which directly impacts a baby's ability to breathe normally.

It also increases the risk of suffocation should the face be accidentally covered, strangulation and entrapment.

Infants should sleep in the parents' room, close to the parents' bed but on a separate surface designed for infants, ideally for the first year, but at least for the first six months.

Keep soft objects and loose bedding out of the infant's sleep area.

A baby can sleep with a blanket or soft toy when they reach age 12 months or a year.

Once your child reaches 12 to 18 months, it's fine for them to sleep with a thin blanket or lovey.

But if they are in a crib, make sure the blanket and stuffed animal are small enough so that he or she can't use them to climb over the side.

Babies can sleep on their stomachs once they can roll back over to their back or sides themselves.

However if your baby is under 6 months it's best to try to keep them on their backs even if they roll over to reduce the risk of SIDS.

It isn't safe to put babies to sleep on their stomachs because this position increases the risk of SIDS.

The same goes for placing your baby to sleep on his or her side.

From the side-sleeping position, your little one can easily roll onto his stomach and end up in this unsafe sleeping position.

Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, not on the stomach or side.

The rate of SIDS has gone way down since the AAP introduced this recommendation in 1992.

Once babies consistently roll over from front to back and back to front, it's fine for them to remain in the sleep position they choose.

Once a baby is 1 year old or older then it becomes more safe for the baby to sleep on their stomach.

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