Evie Summers
Newborns sleep for 14 to 19 hours a day, waking up every few hours to feed. They do not have a sense of day and night, so they sleep and wake up at any time. While it is natural for parents to want to sleep with their newborn babies, it is not recommended. Sleeping with your newborn increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related deaths, such as suffocation and strangulation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Newborns don't have a sense of day and night | They sleep around the clock and wake up frequently to eat |
| Newborns need a lot of sleep | They need 14-17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, with some sleeping up to 18-19 hours a day |
| Newborns need to be fed frequently | They wake up every couple of hours to eat, with breastfed babies feeding more often (every 2-3 hours) than bottle-fed babies (every 3-4 hours) |
| Safe sleep environment | The baby's sleep space should be clear of any items that could cause suffocation or strangulation, such as pillows, sheets, blankets, toys, and loose clothing |
| Sleep position | The baby should sleep on their back on a firm, flat, and level surface |
| Bed-sharing risks | Bed-sharing can increase the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and accidental suffocation or strangulation, especially if the parents smoke, drink, or use drugs |
| Sleep routine | It's important to establish a bedtime routine and teach the baby that nighttime is for sleeping by keeping the lights low and avoiding playing or talking during middle-of-the-night feedings |
| Safe sleep products | Only use sleep products that are specifically designed for babies and approved by relevant safety organizations |
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What You'll Learn
- Co-sleeping with a newborn increases the risk of SIDS and suffocation
- Newborns should sleep on a firm, flat, and level surface
- Avoid placing a newborn to sleep on a sitting or carrying device
- Newborns should sleep in a smoke-free environment
- Newborns should sleep in a separate cot or bassinet in the same room as their parents
Co-sleeping with a newborn increases the risk of SIDS and suffocation
Co-sleeping with a newborn can increase the risk of SIDS and suffocation. While it is natural for parents to be drawn to their newborn babies, and for babies to seek closeness with their parents, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with co-sleeping.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a serious concern, and co-sleeping has been shown to increase the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths. Soft surfaces, such as couches, sofas, waterbeds, memory foam, adult mattresses, quilts, and blankets, are not safe for babies to sleep on due to the risk of suffocation and strangulation. It is recommended that babies sleep on a firm, flat, and level surface, such as a crib with a fitted sheet, to reduce the risk of SIDS and positional asphyxia.
Additionally, co-sleeping with a newborn can increase the risk of suffocation. This can occur when a baby becomes trapped between a parent and the bed or couch cushions, or when bedding covers the baby's head and face. It is important to keep the baby's sleep space clear and free from pillows, sheets, blankets, toys, and other items that could create a suffocation or strangulation risk.
Furthermore, certain circumstances can increase the risk of co-sleeping. For example, if the parent smokes, uses alcohol or drugs, or is taking medication that causes heavy sleep, it is recommended to avoid co-sleeping. Additionally, if the baby was born prematurely or is unwell, they may be at a higher risk of respiratory problems and should not co-sleep.
While co-sleeping can provide a sense of closeness and comfort for both parents and newborns, it is important to prioritize the baby's safety by creating a safe sleep environment. This includes ensuring the baby sleeps on their back, on a firm and flat surface, in a clear and smoke-free space.
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Newborns should sleep on a firm, flat, and level surface
Placing newborns on a firm, flat surface reduces the risk of sudden unexpected infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation, and strangulation. Soft surfaces can increase the risk of suffocation, as a baby's soft and flexible airway can be blocked if their chin rests on their chest. Additionally, babies who roll over on soft surfaces may end up with their nose and mouth pressed into the surface, obstructing their airway.
Sitting devices, such as car seats, strollers, swings, and infant carriers, are not recommended for routine sleep. When a baby is sleeping in an inclined seat, their head can fall forward, making it difficult to breathe and resulting in positional asphyxiation. If a baby falls asleep in one of these devices, they should be moved to a firm sleep surface on their back as soon as possible.
To ensure a safe sleep environment, newborns should be placed on their backs on a flat surface with nothing else in the space, reducing the risk of suffocation or entrapment. This means no soft bedding, pillows, air mattresses, waterbeds, cushions, or loose bedding should be in the crib with the baby.
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Avoid placing a newborn to sleep on a sitting or carrying device
Newborns don't have a sense of day and night, and they sleep around the clock, waking up every couple of hours to eat. They need 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, and it is important that they get it in a safe environment.
To create a safe sleep environment, it is recommended that you don't let your baby fall asleep on a product that isn't specifically designed for sleeping babies, such as a sitting or carrying device. This includes car seats, strollers, swings, feeding pillows, infant loungers, and so on. These devices are not recommended as a baby's regular sleep or nap space. If your baby falls asleep in a sitting or carrying device, move them to their regular sleep space as soon as possible.
A baby's sleep surface should be firm, flat, and level. A crib with a fitted sheet covering the mattress is the safest option. It is recommended that you keep your baby's sleep space clear of any items that might create a strangulation risk, such as jewellery, teething necklaces, or dummy chains. It is also important to keep the baby's environment smoke-free.
By following these guidelines, you can help to reduce your baby's risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related deaths, such as accidental suffocation. Creating a safe sleep environment is crucial to keeping your newborn safe and healthy.
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Newborns should sleep in a smoke-free environment
One study suggests that smoke exposure is one of the biggest risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Aside from the risk of SIDS, third-hand smoke exposure sets infants up for some of the same health risks as older children, including frequent illnesses and respiratory problems.
To prevent third-hand smoke exposure, it is recommended to avoid exposure altogether. This means not smoking in your home or car, even when your children are not present. If you are a smoker, it is best to avoid the homes and common areas of other smokers.
In addition to a smoke-free environment, newborns benefit from a quiet, calm, and dark environment to help them fall asleep. It is also important to keep the lights low and resist the urge to play with or talk to your baby, as this will send the message that nighttime is for sleeping. Newborns should sleep on their back, on a firm, flat, and level surface, in a space that is clear, not too hot, and free of any items that could cause strangulation.
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Newborns should sleep in a separate cot or bassinet in the same room as their parents
It is important to create a safe sleep environment for newborns. This means ensuring the baby sleeps on their back, on a firm, flat, and level surface, in a clear space that is not too hot and is smoke-free. The baby's face and head should be uncovered, and the room should be free of any items that could cause strangulation, such as jewellery, teething necklaces, or long hair.
Co-sleeping with a newborn can increase the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), especially if the parent smokes, uses alcohol or drugs, or is taking medication that causes heavy sleep. It is also important to consider the size of the bed and the number of people and pets sleeping in it. If the sleep space is not big enough, it is recommended to use a separate mattress or put the mattress on the floor to prevent the baby from falling.
Additionally, newborns should not sleep on products that are not designed for sleeping, such as car seats, feeding pillows, or infant loungers. It is also recommended to avoid using weighted blankets, sleepers, or swaddles, as these can be unsafe. Instead, a safe infant sleeping bag can be used to ensure the baby is warm without the risk of suffocation.
By creating a safe sleep environment and following these guidelines, parents can ensure their newborn sleeps safely and comfortably in a separate cot or bassinet in the same room.
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Frequently asked questions
Sharing a bed with your newborn can increase the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths, such as suffocation and strangulation.
SIDS stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. While there is no known cause of SIDS, creating a safe sleep environment can help reduce the risk of SIDS.
A safe sleep environment for a newborn includes a firm, flat, and level surface, in a clear, smoke-free, and not-too-hot space. It is also important to keep the baby's face and head uncovered and remove any items that might create a strangulation risk.
Items such as bonnets, beanies, hats, hoods, jewellery, teething necklaces, and dummy chains could create a strangulation risk and should be removed from the baby's sleep area.
Instead of co-sleeping, you can place your newborn in a crib, bassinet, or portable cot in the same room as you.
