Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

It is usual for newborn babies to have an erratic sleeping schedule. So, the mothers must realize that it is essential to introduce them to a healthy sleeping routine.

The challenge lies in making them sleep. So, pediatricians say that mothers should follow a few steps to make their newborn babies sleep on time. Let us unravel the mystery for first-time mothers.

To begin with, the surface on which the newborn babies sleep should be firm and uniform. Nothing else (including toys or teddies) can be placed

on the cribs where the babies are sleeping.

They should be kept away from smokers. Cigarette smoke may cause breathing problems and suffocation in the infant. Passive smoking may also lead to Sids(Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

The infant should be given comfortable dresses, but not overdressed. Overdressing may create overheating, which may result in discomfort and sweating. The attire should be such that the child should feel that they are at room temperature.

The infant

is given a pacifier. However, if he rejects it or in case it falls out while he is sleeping, it should not be enforced.

Posture is, no doubt, an essential factor. The newborn must always be put to sleep on his back and not on his side or stomach.

The parents should also avoid prolonged eye contact with the newborn just before they sleep. This step is because protracted eye contact is hugely stimulating. So, it is natural for the newborn to want more eye contact instead of sleeping.

The mother should try to set a pattern for her newborn to fall asleep. The room should be quiet and dark at a fixed time. During the time, the mother should perform calming activities like soothing or swaddling. Once the newborn gets into the habit, he will automatically fall asleep at the set time. The room where the baby sleeps should be dark so that the newborn may associate the darkness with the night.

The curtains of that room are drawn in to prevent natural light from filtering in. During this period, the mothers should not play with or talk to the newborn. It will take a few days for the infant to distinguish between day and night. Nobody can hasten this process. However, this difference between day and night soon gets embedded in the mind of the infant.

The daytime feeds for the newborn should be lively, but the nighttime feeds should be calmer. The more silent it is, the more the child will get attuned to sleep.

The infant should be bathed just before sleeping time because it helps the child to calm down.

The shrill cry of a newborn infant sends out a clear message that he is feeling sleepy. So, he should be allowed to sleep then. However, there should be no long gaps between feeding.

Some parents believe that infant massage strokes, which may even include swiping a tissue over the face of the newborn, helps stimulate sleep. It is accepted if it helps.

To conclude, a technique that works for one infant may not work for others. Parents should keep this in mind before trying out the methods.