I can remember when my son got sick; I was scared and worried. As a concerned parent, I wanted to do everything possible to make his pain and discomfort go away. I gave him plenty of liquids to keep him hydrated. I also followed my provider’s recommendations when administering medication.
One of the best recommendations I was given by my pediatrician was to give my baby plenty of rest.
As much as you want to hold your baby when they don’t feel well and comfort them in your arms, you may tire and fall asleep on your bed or couch. To prevent a Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), follow these simple tips as suggested by the American Academy of Pediatrics most recent updated recommendations:
- Always place your baby to sleep alone on their back and on a firm sleep surface that has met all Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) approved safe sleep guidelines, such as a crib, play yard or bassinet.
- Remove blankets, pillows, care items or soft toys from your baby's crib. Remember, less is always better.
- Avoid overheating by dressing your baby in light clothing.
- If your baby shows signs of rolling on their side, discontinue swaddling.
- Inclined products are not safe for babies to sleep in, due to the risk of suffocation. If your baby falls asleep in a car seat, stroller, rocker, glider, soother or swing, move them back to an appropriate sleep surface.
- Room-share for at least the first 6 months. By room sharing, you can get much needed rest and respond to your baby's needs when they are close by.
Learn more about how to create a safe sleep environment, or if you cannot afford a safe sleep environment for your baby, click here.
