Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is scary to think about! It may even cause you to spend a lot of time hovering around your baby’s sleep environment during her first few weeks at home. While experts don’t know all the causes of SIDS, they do know that it’s rare -- and that there are plenty of things parents can do to reduce the risk of SIDS.

Here’s what you need to know.

1. Precaution starts during pregnancy. Give your baby a head start by getting proper prenatal care. It’s also essential to refrain from drinking alcohol, smoking or spending time in smoky environments.

2. Place your baby to sleep on her back. Whether it’s naptime or nighttime, babies under 1 year should always sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS. The exception: If she rolls onto her side or stomach, it’s OK to leave her like that. She probably has the ability to roll herself back.

3. Place your baby on a firm sleep surface. Your baby’s crib should meet current sleep safety standards (find out more at cpsc.gov) and her mattress should be covered with a fitted sheet.

4.  No extras in the crib. That means no stuffed animals, loose bedding, pillows, crib bumpers, quilts, comforters or any other objects that could potentially suffocate your baby while she sleeps.

5. Sleep near your baby. Keep her crib or bassinet within arm’s reach. But don’t let her sleep in your bed, which can actually increase the risk of SIDS.

6. Breastfeed and immunize. Doing both can reduce the risk of SIDS, according to research.

7. Keep your baby cool. Signs your baby might be too hot include sweating or a hot chest or forehead. As a rule of thumb, you only need to dress her in one more layer than you would wear to keep warm.

8. Offer a pacifier. Pacifiers given during sleep or naptime may reduce the risk of SIDS. But if your baby isn’t interested, that’s okay -- you don’t have to force it.

9. Avoid SIDS-reducing products. Despite what the package’s label might say, wedges, special mattresses and sleep positioners have not been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. In fact, they could cause suffocation.

Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash

Would you rather win the lottery or get a full night’s sleep?

If you even paused to consider your answer, congratulations -- you must be a new mom! While your heart is bursting with joy, your eyelids are probably as heavy as bricks. Baby-induced sleep deprivation is something you just can’t understand until you live through it.

Try these baby sleep solutions to get a peaceful night for both you and your little one:  

Baby sleep solutions: Newborns to 3 weeks
Your brand-new baby will sleep 16 to 18 hours a day but will probably wake up every 2 to 3 hours to eat. Of course, this will vary with every baby.

While a newborn’s sleep-wake cycle may be rough on you, it’s perfectly normal -- and necessary for your baby’s survival. A 3-week-old baby is incapable of being spoiled, and it’s important to create a sense of security by responding to your baby’s cries.  

Even though he’ll be up around the clock, it’s also crucial to teach your baby the difference between daytime and nighttime. Be playful and interact with him when he wakes up during the day, but keep lights dim and your voice low when he wakes up at night. Eventually, he’ll start to sleep for longer stretches at night.

Many parents swear by the shush noise to help relax fussy babies. Make a loud (very loud!) “shhh, shhh, shhh” noise while gently swaying him back and forth -- this mimics the noises and sensations in the womb. Swaddling your baby can also help him feel secure.

And take heart: The first few weeks are rough, but your baby’s sleep routine will get easier.

Baby sleep solutions: 2 to 4 months
The fastest consolidation of baby sleep occurs in the first four months of life, which means your sweet baby will probably be sleeping for longer stretches soon, if he isn’t already.

The phrase “sleeping through the night” is a bit of a misnomer -- it can mean sleeping for stretches of eight hours, from midnight to 5 a.m., or from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Most babies sleep through the night by 2 to 3 months of age (yippee!), but some babies don’t until they’re much older.

However, you can help your 2- to 4-month-old baby develop healthy sleep habits -- which means you’ll sleep better, too! Your baby may wake up several times a night, even when he isn’t hungry. If he hasn’t learned to put himself back to sleep, he may cry for you. Putting your baby down when he’s drowsy but not completely asleep can help him learn to soothe himself back to sleep.

Babies often wiggle around and can make considerable noise when they sleep. When you hear a whimper, wait a few minutes before rushing to his aid. Give your baby a chance to put himself back to sleep.

Baby sleep solutions: Babies of all ages
There’s no need to crank up the thermostat or over-bundle your baby. If you’re comfortable in pajamas and a light blanket, he’ll also be comfortable in jammies and a sleeping sack or swaddle. Staying comfortable also means staying dry. Put him in a diaper that wicks moisture away and provides protection from leaks.

Finally, always put your baby on his back to sleep in a smoke-free space. Keep his crib or bassinet clear of blankets, toys, pillows, or crib bumpers, which can be suffocation hazards.

Imagine you are at a fancy restaurant having a great time with your best friends. You’re about to tell a funny joke when, without any warning, you’re yanked away from the party and dropped into bed. It would be hard to fall asleep, right? Heck, you’d probably want to cry! This is exactly how your baby feels without a bedtime routine: confused, grumpy, and a little stunned.

A bedtime routine gives your baby a heads-up that it’s time to wind down. The process also minimizes crying, making bedtime a wonderful bonding opportunity instead of a fight. And as sleep-deprived parents everywhere can affirm, there’s nothing quite as beautiful as a soundly sleeping baby (and a chance for some precious grown-up time!). 

Be consistent …
Reading a book or taking a bath is relaxing no matter your age, but it’s not necessarily the story or the bubbles that help you fall asleep. The most important part of a baby bedtime routine is its consistency. If you follow a specific pattern -- whether it’s singing a song, giving your baby a gentle massage, or slow dancing to soft music in a dark room -- your baby will start to expect what’s coming up (sleep!).

… but don’t be too consistent!
If you’ve ever gone on vacation and forgotten to bring your baby’s special teddy bear (oh, the horror!), you know that flexibility is a crucial part of peaceful baby sleep. Encourage your baby to be adaptable by tweaking the routine ever so slightly now and then. If your baby enjoys white noise, switch between a fan and a noise machine. If your baby usually sleeps in footed pajamas, try a sleep sack once or twice a week.

Bedtime cuddles are one of the sweetest parts of parenting, but all moms can use a break once in a while. Here’s a great reason to have the other parent, a grandparent, or a babysitter occasionally put your baby to sleep: If your baby gets accustomed to you always doing it, she may struggle to fall asleep when anyone else attempts the bedtime routine. So kick back on the couch and let someone else put your baby down every now and then -- it will pay off in the future.

Keep it short and sweet
Your baby’s bedtime routine doesn’t need to be a complicated dance that leaves you exhausted. Try 10 to 15 minutes of reading books, singing lullabies, or playing quietly in a dim room. Signal with your tone and mannerisms that it’s getting close to bedtime -- speak softly and give a few big yawns. (You may not even have to fake them!)

Then change your baby’s diaper, offer a bottle or your breast, brush her teeth or gums, and put her in comfy pajamas. Lots of moms have success with swaddling, which makes newborns feel extra secure; plus, they look pretty darn cute wrapped up like a baby burrito!

Try putting your baby to sleep when she is drowsy, not already wiped out in your arms. If she wakes up in the middle of the night and is no longer with you, your baby may become confused and struggle to go back to sleep without you.

Photo by Paul Hanaoka on Unsplash