The No-cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley Read Free Book Online

these will keep your baby slightly curled, rather than flat on a mattress; many tummy sleepers enjoy that position much better. Just be sure to follow all safety precautions, which includes keeping baby nearby. (Manufacturers of all car seats, strollers, and infant seats warn parents to never to leave a baby alone in any of these seats.) Watch to be sure your baby doesn’t curl too far forward.
    • If your baby is a newborn, try swaddling her for sleep. (See page 83.) Being wrapped in a blanket prevents her natural startle reflexes from waking her up.
    • Wait until your baby is in deep sleep before gently turning him over. You will recognize this stage by his limp limbs and even, steady breathing.
    • Talk to your doctor about the possibility of a compromise: side sleeping. Ask if a sleeping wedge or tightly rolled baby blanket can be used to hold your baby in this position.
    • Although various products are available to keep a baby in the back-sleeping position, their safety has not been tested, and at this time they are not recommended. At this writing, several sleep wraps have been designed to hold a baby swaddled in a back-sleeping position and they are just becoming available. Ask your doctor or hospital about any new
    inventions.
    • Finally, if you still choose to have your baby sleep on her tummy, or if your doctor has approved this position, make certain that the mattress is even, firm, and flat, and that every

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    The No-Cry Sleep Solution
    Mother-Speak
    “I’d always go in to turn Coby over, and sometimes he’d wake up, see me, and want to nurse. So I got very good at duck-ing behind his bumper and settling him through the crib slats.
    It worked!”
    Jennifer, mother of five-month-old Coby
    time you put her to bed, the sheets are smooth and tightly secured. Also, don’t put any pillows, blankets, or toys in bed with her. If you still have concerns, ask your doctor or hospital about renting a sophisticated baby monitor so that you can keep track of sound, movement, and breathing.
    Once your baby is sleeping on her back:
    • Don’t let her sleep in the exact same position every night and nap. Move her head from one side to the other, and vary her position in the crib, or the placement of the crib itself, to encourage her to look in all directions. This will prevent the back of your baby’s head from becoming flat (a condition called positional plagiocephaly).
    • Avoid leaving your baby lying on her back in a stroller, car seat, or swing for long periods during the day.
    • Place your baby on her tummy often when she is awake to encourage head and body movement and physical development of all muscle groups.
    Back Sleeping at Day Care
    According to some studies, 20 percent of SIDS deaths occur in child-care settings. Not all child-care centers have policies on infant sleep positions, and even when they do, not all child-care

    Do a Safety Check
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    providers abide by the AAP’s recommended guidelines. It’s important for you to know that babies who are not used to sleeping on their stomachs are at a particularly high risk for SIDS if they are placed in this position for sleep. Check on the policies in your child-care center, and be sure that they are placing your baby in the proper sleep position as recommended by your doctor.
    General Sleeping Safety Precautions for
    All Families
    • Do not allow anyone to smoke around your baby. This holds true whether your baby is asleep or awake. Babies who are exposed to smoke face an increased risk of SIDS, as well as other health complications, such as asthma.
    • If your child spends time with a child-care provider, baby-sitter, grandparent, or anyone else, insist that safety guidelines are followed in that environment also.
    • Keep your baby warm, but not too warm. Keep the bedroom at a comfortable sleeping temperature, usually between 65°F
    and 72°F (18°C to 22°C). Be careful not to overheat your baby. If your newborn comes home from the hospital