By: Consumer Reports Updated 02 Sea 2022, 17: 02 pm EST
As a mother who also writes about product safety, my new parent friends may be a little tired of hearing my repeated warnings about all the products they need to be aware of in their children’s bedrooms.
And it’s true, standard advice, babies should lie on their backs on a firm, flat surface, no soft bedding, it might sound very cold. But here’s what I also want my friends to know: You don’t have to sacrifice comfort to create a safe sleep space. You just have to think creatively about how to achieve it. Here are some ideas.
Instead of a loose blanket in your baby’s crib, use a sleeping bag or diapers fabric.
Any type of soft bedding is unsuitable because it increases the risk of suffocation. But keep your baby warm at night and during naps with a baby sleeping bag, which is a kind of blanket that can be worn. That has the added bonus of being something your baby can’t take off. You can also wrap your newborn with a cloth diaper, that is, with a small blanket that wraps the baby. That simulates the cozy environment of the womb, and can help babies sleep more soundly. To swaddle safely: Leave the legs and hips loose so your baby can stretch out, and stop swaddling when he starts trying to roll over, usually around 2 months.
Instead of pillows, toys and bumper pads in the crib, opt for mobile-type toys
Pillows of any kind, even those marketed to treat mild flat head syndrome, can be dangerous. But, it’s okay to have toys suspended above your baby’s crib, as long as they’re out of her reach. And, of course, make the rest of the baby’s room cozy, with embroidered cushions, soft toys or stuffed animals, whenever they are out of reach.
Instead of sharing the bed, choose to share the room
Do not have a baby in bed with you, except to nurse or comfort him. But it’s a good idea to keep the crib, bassinet, portable crib, or baby play area in your bedroom, near your bed. This reduces the risk of SIDS by up to 50%, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, and will make it easier for you to feed, comfort and monitor your baby.
Instead of a tilted cradle, opt for a mobile seat
Slanted cribs, tiny hammock-like beds for babies, were essentially banned by the CPSC in June 2021 after they were linked to numerous child deaths. But it’s still okay to use a mobile seat. It is a similar looking product but this is intended to be used when the baby is awake and with supervision. If your baby begins to nod off in the seat, move him to the crib, bassinet, or play area.
Editor’s Note : This article was also published in the March issue of 2022 of Consumer Reports magazine.
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Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works with consumers to create a fair, safe, and healthy world. CR does not endorse products or services and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2022, Consumer Reports, Inc.