It is a common misconception that parents should continue to hold their babies to sleep until they can roll over independently. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against bed-sharing, which increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. 

Parents should stop holding their baby to sleep when they can roll over independently, typically around 4-6 months old. This will help them develop the skill and avoid any potential risks associated with bed-sharing.

According to the AAP, sleeping on their back reduces the risk of sudden death by asphyxia by up to 70%. So parents must put their baby to sleep on their back every time, regardless of whether they hold the baby or not. Putting your baby to sleep in a bassinet or crib next to your bed is a good alternative if you are worried about leaving them alone. 

Babies should always be placed on a firm surface to sleep, such as a crib or bassinet, to reduce the risk of SIDS. Never put your baby to sleep on a soft surface, such as a couch or bed.

If you are still concerned about leaving your baby to sleep alone, many products can help monitor their safety. These include audio and video monitors and breathing and movement monitors. Talk to your pediatrician about the best option for you and your baby.

What is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)? 

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a mysterious and tragic condition that causes the sudden death of an infant. The cause of SIDS is unknown, but it is thought to involve a combination of factors, including genetics, environmental hazards, and sleep environment.

When an infant is bed-sharing with a parent or other caregiver, the danger of SIDS rises because the infant is more likely to become overheated, which can lead to SIDS. In addition, bed-sharing infants are more likely to be suffocated by pillows or blankets.

It is important to note that the risk of SIDS is not limited to bed-sharing. Any sleep environment that is not baby-safe increases the risk of SIDS. This includes couches, recliners, and waterbeds. So what can parents do to reduce the risk of SIDS? 

Here are a few things parents can do to reduce the risk of SIDS, including: 

• Putting the baby to sleep on their back
• Avoiding bed-sharing
• Creating a safe sleep environment
• Limit exposure to environmental hazards

Following these tips can help reduce the risk of SIDS and ensure that your baby stays safe while they sleep.

How Can Parents Reduce The Risk of SIDS for Their Baby? 

Babies have a higher risk of SIDS if they sleep on their stomachs or side. This puts them in the “prone” position and makes it harder to breathe. Also, newborns who are used to being held may not be able to roll over and may have a harder time breathing.

An excellent way to prevent that is by putting the crib in your room not in the nursery. This will help you keep an eye on the baby to make sure they’re still breathing.

What Can a Parent Do When Their Newborn Wants To Be Held All Night?

Newborn babies may want to be held all the time. This because they were used the womb and feel safe and secure when they’re with their parents. It’s okay to hold your baby at night, but you should stop holding them to sleep once they are able to roll over on their own.

The Baby Must Always Fall Asleep in The Crib

Your baby should get used to always falling asleep in the same space – In the bed or crib – and never on your lap, in a stroller or on a lounger. The goal is for him/her to begin to realize this is their own space where they have to sleep.

Bath Before Bed: Yes or No?

Most babies relax with the bath, but this one also has its precepts to be able to provide relaxation. If the bath is very agitated, there is no way to put the child to bed afterwards, as he needs time to calm down.

This is also a good way to avoid your newborn falling asleep in your arms.

Dark Environment to Sleep

The presence of light at night reduces the quality of sleep and affects the functioning of our internal biological clock.

Today we know that for everyone to sleep well, the environment must be dark, so dark that you can’t see a hand in front of you.

Why Does My Baby Only Sleep When Held? 

Some babies only sleep when their parents hold them and because they are used to the womb environment. This is called “positional preference” and usually goes away once the baby is about 4-6 months old. 

Sleeping with your baby is a tradition that can be traced back centuries. It’s natural to want to be close to your child. For many parents, sleeping with their baby is the only way they can get any rest. This is what happened with all of us. Yet, as the baby gets older, you should stop holding it to sleep.

At around 4-6 months old, most can roll over independently and don’t need to be held to sleep. However, if you continue to hold your baby, they may not develop the skill of rolling over alone.

How Can Parents Can Do To Create a Safe Sleep Environment

There are many tips parents can follow to create a safe sleep environment for their infants. As I mentioned before, one of the most important one is to stop holding the baby to sleep. Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies not sleep in the same bed as their parents. 

However, there are other ways to create a safe sleep environment, and following these tips can help keep your child safe and healthy.

• Do not let the baby sleep in the same bed with you;
• Make sure there is nothing in the crib that can harm the baby, such as blankets or pillows;
• Keep the room temperature comfortable;
• Do not smoke around the baby;
• Avoid letting the baby fall asleep while breastfeeding or bottle-feeding.

One way to create a safe sleep environment is to use a crib or bassinet. Make sure that the crib is free of dangerous objects and that the mattress is firm. Do not put any toys or soft objects in the crib with the baby, as these can pose a suffocation hazard.

Additionally, you should keep the room where your baby sleeps cool and dark. A baby’s brain develops best in a cool, dark environment. You can create a cool, dark room by using blackout curtains or shades.

It is also important to avoid exposing your baby to smoke. Secondhand smoke increases the risk of SIDS, respiratory illnesses, and ear infections.

Parents should also be aware of the dangers of bed-sharing. Bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS, as well as accidental suffocation, strangulation, and entrapment.

Following these tips can help create a safe sleep environment for your baby. By creating a safe sleep environment, you can help keep your child stay safe and healthy while they sleep.

Conclusion

Remember babies don’t learn to fall asleep alone in a day. It takes time and dedication. So be patient, and eventually, they will learn to sleep through the night without you intervening. 

Until then, continue following the tips listed above to help them sleep through the night. If you like our advice, share this article with your friends and family. And don’t forget to leave a comment below and let us know how it’s going. We love hearing from our readers.

Thank you for reading!