Sleeping is one of a baby's most basic needs and something that a new baby will be doing a lot of in the early weeks after birth. A newborn baby needs a safe place to sleep, taking into consideration current recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Recommendations can change over time so you will want to make sure that you have the latest information.
Where Will Baby Sleep?
Whether your infant will be sleeping in a co-sleeper, bassinette, or crib, the sleeping space needs to be free from extra pillows, blankets or stuffed animals that could pose a suffocation risk. Look for functional sleeping accessories over pieces that are created based on looks and not safety.
Crib
If you are using a crib, be sure that it meets current safety standards. Older cribs may pose a safety hazard, and they should be evaluated to determine whether they meet today's safety standards. When shopping for a crib, check to see how low you can adjust the mattress as your baby grows and whether or not the side of the crib can be lowered for easier access.
Crib Mattress
Using a good quality crib mattress has been shown to lower the risk of SIDS. Avoid using a used crib mattress if at all possible. A basic mattress cover will help extend the life of your mattress and make it much easier to clean up if your baby spits up or if his diaper leaks.
Crib Bedding
There's no denying that there are some adorable choices in crib bedding available. Many of them are horrendously expensive and potentially unsafe for a newborn. Style definitely plays a part in your choice for crib bedding but all you really need is 2-3 simple crib sheets. Most crib bumpers pose a suffocation hazard and thick quits have no place in an infant's crib. Many parents opt to hang crib quits on the wall as decoration or drape them over the back of a rocking chair.
Keeping Baby Warm
Newborn babies, especially preemies or babies with low-birth weight, can struggle to maintain their body temperature while they sleep. Winter can be an especially challenging time to keep your baby warm at night. Heavy blankets put your baby at risk for SIDS or suffocation and should be avoided. Be careful you don't overheat your baby in an effort to keep him warm since that can also put a new baby at risk for SIDS.
Swaddling in a basic blanket is a wonderful way to keep your baby warm at night and encourage your baby to develop healthy sleep habits. Swaddling takes a little bit of practice but it can help your baby feel more secure and can help calm a baby with colic. Ask the nurses before you are discharged from the hospital after birth to demonstrate how to swaddle a baby so you have a basic understanding of the technique. Baby blankets are a favorite present at baby showers so they are fairly easy to stock up on. You will want to have at least 5-6 baby blankets available since they often need to be washed.
An alternative to swaddling your baby is using a sleep sack. Sleep sacks are a great way to keep your baby warm without using heavy blankets and since they are designed to act link a pouch, your baby cannot kick off his blankets in the middle of the night. Many sleep sacks claim to reduce to risk of SIDS. These will also need to be washed frequently so you will want to purchase 2-3 in order to make sure you have one that is clean at all times.
Keeping your baby safe from SIDS, suffocation, and other sleeping risks is the most important consideration when buying any sleeping gear. Educate yourself on the current safety standards before wasting money on baby items that are unsafe and unnecessary.
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