Eliminate suffocation risks from your baby’s sleeping environment.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cherry Hill, New Jersey, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) February 17, 2012 -- Did you know that approximately 79% of infant deaths caused by suffocation occur while an infant is sleeping? There are several best practices you can follow to avoid common dangers.

First, consider the position you place your baby for sleeping. For most infants, placing your baby on his or her back for sleeping is recommended.

Second, your baby should only sleep in a crib. Remember to cover the mattress with a tight fitting sheet, and look for a label that indicates that it meets JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufactures Association) safety standards. Child safety advocate, Michael Pouls, reminds us, “It’s not only the mattress itself but also the bedding that’s important. For example, crib slats should be no more than 2 3/8” inch apart. Meanwhile, excessive bedding poses a suffocation hazard, because babies can suffocate simply by pressing their faces against a pillow, blanket, or stuffed animal.”

Third, remember that because bed-sharing is dangerous, you must never fall asleep with your baby in your bed. Instead, consider room-sharing. Move your baby’s crib from the nursery to your bedroom for convenient feedings and togetherness.

Fourth, do not allow pets to stay in the room where your baby is sleeping. Michael Pouls explains that, “even the kindest pet might be tempted to curl up next to a warm baby and inadvertently suffocate the child.”

Finally, Michael Pouls reminds us, “Don’t forget to consider other dangers that may be lurking in your baby’s sleeping environment beyond suffocation hazards. For example, never position your baby’s crib near a window. Not only do you risk strangulation from cords on blinds and window dressings, but also you risk a potential fall from a window. Additionally, make sure there isn’t any shelving above the crib – not only can things fall off a shelf, but of course the shelf itself could fall.”

Finally, all new parents are encouraged to learn CPR and First Aid for infants and children, so that should an emergency situation arise, you are fully prepared to react!

child safety     safe sleep environment