Safety should be the first priority in the selection of crib
Pre- and post-sleep environment is as important as the selection of crib for healthy and sound sleep of newborns. Şükrü Yener, M.D., from Pediatrics Department of Medical Park Gaziosmanpaşa Hospital says that newborns should be accustomed to sleep in a crib rather than sleeping while being held by the mother and he makes advices on the selection of crib.
Correct timing for acclimation to baby room is as important as the selection of crib to ensure a healthy sleep. Pediatrician Şükrü Yener, M.D., from Medical Park Gaziosmanpaşa Hospital says that babies should be held by mothers immediately after birth and this bond should be conserved for the first 6 months of life and he made the following advices on the new home life with the baby:
BABY SHOULD SLEEP IN CRIB, NOT IN MOTHER’S HUG
After being discharged to home, the newborn should sleep in crib nearby the mother’s bed. A newborn should never be allowed to sleep by cuddling up to the mother. This is the reason of many infant deaths. The newborn should lie down on back. Anyway, babies instinctively lie back, but they turn their head to right and left sides during sleep. The head is also instinctively turned to either side. You should not correct the position of the baby. The belief “If I make him lie on back, the head will stay straight” is also wrong. Because he will, anyway, turn the head to the right or the left while sleeping.
PUT BED LINING THAT SMELLS LIKE YOU IN CRIB
Sometimes, parents try to make the baby fall asleep in their bed. This turns into a custom, resulting in discomfort for parents. In order to avoid this custom, put a bed linen that smells like your skin into the crib and let the baby sleep on this linen in the crib or his bed for 1 to 2 days. You will, certainly, recognize that he acclimates to his bed and stops sleeping with parents.
START ACCLIMATION TO HIS ROOM 6 MONTHS AFTER BIRTH
The baby should sleep nearby the mother, as breastfeeding is a necessity for the first 6 months of life. When the 6 months old baby is started on new foods, it also implies transition to the baby room. At this phase, you need to visit him in his room. In other words, you need to sleep on a couch close to him where he can see you and stay in his room until he falls asleep in order to make him feel safe. He will acclimate to his room after a while and thus, a sound sleeping system will start to work.
SOFT LIGHT, SILENT ENVIRONMENT AND SLOW MUSIC…
The sleep time should imply a warmhearted, peaceful and comfortable process for the baby. A softly illuminated, silent, safe and sun-exposed room that is ventilated every day and free of strong air flow with finely tuned humidity should be preferred. The room temperature should be maintained at 21 to 25 °C. If the baby should be accustomed to a pre-sleep routine that is characterized by silent environment, soft light and slow music, such environmental features will make the baby feel that it is time to sleep.
REMOVE THE PACIFIER BEFORE HE FALLS ASLEEP
Do not allow the baby fall asleep with the pacifier. The pacifier helps satisfying the sucking reflex, not for making him fall asleep. If the baby falls asleep with a pacifier in the mouth, remove it before he progresses into deep sleep.
SAFETY FIRST
Five principal criteria apply to the selection of crib and bed; safety, portability, comfort, function and price. Portability is among the pioneering features of a crib. It is also the most important feature that distinguishes a crib from other baby beds. Otherwise, it is not possible to keep our baby under supervision constantly. Portable cribs that are commercially available are characterized by light material, rollaway wheels and foldability. Although portability is an important criterion in the selection of a crib, it is also associated by some safety risks. Therefore, the pioneering criterion should, undoubtedly, be safety.
LIGHT MATERIAL IMPLIES RISK OF TILTING OVER
The risk of tilting over in cribs that are made of light materials is a threat against safety of the baby. The crib can easily tilt over, if a child running around at home crashes the crib or a pet climbs on or pushes down the crib. The same risk applies to foldable cribs. Therefore, material, assembly and standing quality require attention when a crib is bought.
NATURAL IS HEALTHY
Natural materials should be preferred to the maximum extent when a crib is bought. When safety and health are taken into consideration, wooden materials come to the forefront. Wood is advantageous not only for health and durability, but also for safety. The disadvantage is the weight of the material. Wood is the most commonly preferred material for non-portable baby cribs. However, solid wood is the healthiest material for baby rooms. Solid wood is outstandingly healthy due to natural structure of wood. The material does not allow growth of molds and bacteria.
TOYS AND ORNAMENTS MAY POSE RISK
The baby bed should be as empty as possible. Unnecessary ornaments, toys or pillows pose a serious risk. Material of bed covers should necessarily allow air circulation. For example, perforated blanket or coverlets with high air permeability can be used. Heavy quilts or bed covers that hinder air circulation should necessarily be avoided.
#Pediatrics #Medical Park #Pediatrician
