From the experts: Safe sleep Q&A
By: Nested Bean
Tags: Baby Swaddle, Baby Sleep, Swaddles, Parenting

he only thing that makes sleepless nights with your bundle of joy worse is having questions and not knowing where to get answers.

We know, we’ve been there!

Safe sleep is an important subject, so we’ve brought in Christine Lawler, baby sleep coach and founder of The Peaceful Sleeper, to shine some light on a few crucial topics.

Meet our expert

Christine Lawler

Baby sleep consultant, owner of The Peaceful Sleeper, and licensed Family Therapist.

What you need to know for safe sleeping

Q: What’s better: co-sleeping or putting baby in a crib?

A: Putting baby in her own private sleep space is always the safest option.

A bassinet next to your bed is a good compromise, but adult beds are too squishy for babies, and loose blankets present another hazard.

There’s also the risk you could roll over on baby or she could roll off the bed or get trapped between the mattress and the headboard.

Q: How about other sleep options like baby nests, bouncy seats, and swings?

A: There are so many products on the market to help babies fall asleep, but they’re not safe to sleep in, so if you choose to use one, make sure you’re moving baby to her crib after she drifts off.

The same principle applies to positioners or loungers, which have soft, squishy sides that are too low to prevent the baby from rolling out. In those cases, it’s best to wrap your newborn in a nice, tight swaddle, rock her to sleep, then put her down in a crib or bassinet.

Q: Are crib bumpers okay?

What about blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals?

A: Though stuffed animals and baby bed sets are cute and make a nursery feel cozy, they present a suffocation risk. Your little one’s sleep space should be free of anything other than a pacifier.

Q: I slept on my stomach as a baby. Now I read it’s better for babies to sleep on their backs, but I worry about choking.

Which is right?

A: A lot has changed over the years as we research and learn more about sleep positioning. Though experts used to recommend that babies sleep on their tummies, we now know that back sleep reduces the risk of SIDS. There are a couple of exceptions:

If your baby has reflux and you worry about choking, you can turn the baby’s head to one side when you put her down, or prop the head of her crib at a slight incline

Once your baby can roll back to front and front to back on her own, you don’t need to worry about positioning as much; still, put her to sleep on her back, but rest easy if she flips

Q: Is swaddling safe?

A: Yes! Swaddling is so good for newborns.

It mimics that snug feeling from the womb and prevents them from waking themselves up with flailing arms and jerky movements.

Make sure you wrap baby nice and tight and have all tails and corners of the swaddle blanket tucked in so it doesn’t come loose when your little one squirms. Zip up swaddles like the Zen One make it easy to get a snug, safe fit every time.

Q: Is it okay for me to feed my baby in my own bed in the middle of the night?

What if I fall asleep?

A: Though nursing baby in bed is comfortable and convenient, falling asleep is a real risk. It’s better to hop out of bed, sit in a comfy chair, and do something like listening to a podcast or read a book until feeding time is over.