SAFE SLEEP POPULAR PRODUCT 4: Bassinet

 

Before your baby arrives, there is a lot of setting up to do. You will probably think about the best place for your baby to sleep. You should also think about the safest place for your baby to sleep! Infants sleep a lot during the first few months. It is important to create a safe sleeping environment for them.

There are many different sleeping products on the market that claim to be great for your new baby. You have many options when shopping for cribs. You might be considering a bassinet instead of a crib. While bassinets might be more affordable and take up less space, bassinets are not as safe as cribs. The best choice would be a safety-approved crib or safety-approved pac-n-play.

Bassinets are a popular sleeping option for babies. However, products like this can put your baby at risk for Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), commonly known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). It is important to know the risks before purchasing these products.

Most bassinets have a weight and age limit. Your baby will quickly outgrow a bassinet. This product recommends that after 3 months old, a baby should be placed in a crib.

A bassinet that does not have a wide base is not sturdy! There are multiple factors that can cause a bassinet to tip. A pet or a child could knock it over.

Bassinets with no side mesh can cause suffocation. The mattress can also cause suffocation. To keep your baby safe, use a mattress that fits tightly against crib walls. Space between the mattress and the frame increases the risk of SUID.

The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a crib or pac-n-play with nothing in it but the baby. That means no blankets, bumpers, toys, or even pillows! There are other guidelines for you to follow to decrease the risk of SUID death. You can review the safe sleep rules at Families – Delaware Thrives. If you cannot afford a safe place for your baby to sleep, talk to your health care provider or birthing hospital to see if you are eligible for a pac-n-play through Delaware Cribs for Kids Program.