What is the Safest Way for Babies to Sleep?
Inside: The safest way for babies to sleep and current safe baby sleep recommendations. What all parents need to know – brought to you by Levana. All opinions are my own.
The one thing I didn’t expect about becoming a mom?
How much I’d worry while my baby slept!
I can’t tell you the number of times I peered into my daughter’s crib during that first year — risking waking her up — to make sure she was still breathing!
A little worrying is normal, but it’s also nice to have the peace of mind knowing that your precious little one is sleeping soundly and safely. That way you can try to get a little sleep too!
What is the Safest Way for Babies to Sleep?
(The Four B’s of Safe Baby Sleep)
This is my own personal list of four of the most important things for new parents to know about baby sleep. It’s not an all-inclusive list, but it’s definitely a good start to help make sure your baby is as safe as possible while sleeping. Plus, it’s easy to remember!
1. Back
Most of our parents were told to place us on our tummies to sleep, but things have changed in the past couple decades. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development explains that the risk of SIDS is lowest for babies who sleep on their backs. The back sleep position may also lower the likelihood of fevers and ear infections.
Babies should always be put to sleep on their backs, even during nap time. As your baby learns to roll and move on their own, they may adjust their position during their sleep. However, even though my little one likes to roll over in her sleep, I always lay her down on her back to start.
2. By Themselves
Co-sleeping vs. crib is often a topic of debate among parents, though most doctors agree that babies are safest sleeping alone in their own crib. In 2005, The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a strongly worded recommendation against co-sleeping, saying it is linked to an increase in SIDS.
I’ll admit that the first two weeks after giving birth to my daughter, she slept next to me in my big bed so I could nurse her easily. Since I had c-section surgery, I could barely move and wasn’t worried about rolling over on top of her. However, as soon as I was mobile, I moved our baby to her own crib to make sure she slept as safely as possible.
3. Bare is Best
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission puts it simply: “bare is best when placing a baby to sleep in a crib.” Loose items can pose the danger of suffocation, so keeping cribs free of clutter is the safest option.
The CPSC currently advises: “no pillows, no heavy quilts, no thick blankets, no pillow-like stuffed toys or other large stuffed toys and no child carrying devices, recliners or sleep positioners.”
4. Baby Monitor
Since it’s not practical to stand over your baby’s crib all night long, a video baby monitor is like a second set of eyes when you leave the room. No matter where you are in the house, you can “peek” in to check your little one without disturbing their sleep.
There are a lot of different options out there, but I love the Levana Willow HD video monitor because it is fully digital and wireless. You can carry it anywhere around the house, allowing you to do more while worrying less. No wires (for the monitor) means that there is no risk of cord strangulation. (Yes, I used to worry about that too!)
Levana is a company dedicated to one thing: keeping children safe. They are a pioneer in the industry, launching the first wireless baby monitor in 2002. The Willow video monitor incorporates over ten years of industry-leading technology: long-lasting battery life, temperature sensors, feeding timers, lullabies and an easy to use icon based menu. And it was SO easy to set up — simply charge the monitor, plug in the camera, and then turn them on.
One of my husband’s main concerns about baby monitors is the risk of hacking. It is a comfort to know that Levana features top security measures to ensure that your monitor is only used for its intended purpose.
The best part is that Levana monitors grow with your baby. Even when your child reach toddler or preschool age, it’s still helpful to be able to keep an eye on them if you need to go to another room. Perhaps to fold the never-ending pile of laundry?
Where to get the Levana Willow video monitor
The Levana Willow 5″ HD Touchscreen Video Baby Monitor is available at Babies-R-Us or 
at MyLevana.com. It’s the perfect shower gift or to add to holiday wish lists!
Disclaimer: While this post features current recommendations from child safety experts, I am not a medical professional. Please consult your child’s pediatrician with any questions about safe baby sleep.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Levana. The opinions and text are all mine.
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