The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) has released an updated list of infant sleep guidelines. In its first update since 2016, the AAP strongly advises against co-sleeping with babies, using weighted blankets and swaddles, cot décor, inclined sleeping products and babies sleeping in hats.
The updated guidelines are based on the study of nearly 160 scientific articles since 2015 that cover risk factors and statistical trends for sleep-related infant death.
Infant sleep guidelines for co-sleeping
In South Africa, co-sleeping is common because of cultural preferences and because many families simply cannot afford to give their baby a bed of their own. However, Dr Rebecca Carlin, co-author of the new guidelines and member of the AAP Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), says the evidence is clear that co-sleeping significantly raises the risk of baby’s injury or death.
A recent study reveals that the prevalence of SIDS ranges from 3.7 deaths per 1000 live births in South Africa. The same study reported that 60% to 91.8% of South African mothers who attended well-baby clinics reported bed sharing with their babies.
While the AAP is strongly against co-sleeping with infants, they do recommend that babies sleep in the same room as caretakers on a separate firm and flat mattress that is covered with a snug-fitting sheet. According to the new guidelines, room sharing can decrease the risk of SIDS by as much as 50%.
Babies should sleep on their backs with no blankets, pillows, soft bedding, or cot décor that could suffocate the child. Hats should also be removed as they pose a suffocation risk. If you’re worried about your baby getting cold, use infant sleep clothing, such as a wearable blanket or a swaddle. Be careful not to swaddle your baby too tightly, ensuring your baby is able to breathe with ease and move their hips.
If you are using an inclined sleeping product, like a wedge for a pillow, do not use any pillow with an incline higher than 10 degrees. In America, it has recently become illegal to sell products with an incline higher than 10 degrees.
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