SIDS Worry

They don't need a pillow at that age. I would not put anything under her head. I would also not give her a blanket. You can dress her in fleece jammies and keep the house relatively warm. Try swaddling, it is great and works wonders for sleeping. Good luck to you.

no need for a "pillow" a loose blanket is what they are talking about. If swaddled right she'll be fine. Use a sleeper or put two nighties on. Keep her on her back! Maybe you should wait until she's a bit older to put her out if you are still so worried (as was I). Invest in a video monitor- they are priceless to me for piece of mind.

No pillow is necessary, that part is what would worry me more than the blanket. As far as the blanket goes though, we always used a "sleep sack" by Halo. It is a sleeveless zip up sack that they wear right over their pajamas, a wearable blanket. It zips from the bottom too for easy middle of the night diaper changes.

Darling, wonderful, loving Mommy,
Why exactly are you moving your sweet one? There is no good reason not to have a family bed while your child is small. Your heartbeat and breathing will stablize your child's heartbeat and breathing. SIDS started to be a major problem when began putting our kids by themselves.

Nature has a great system going. Respect her methods. As a species we slept in family beds until the middle of last century. We probably wouldn't have survived as a species if we hadn't. Plus nightime nursing is a breeze! Just roll over and pop it in and both of you will soon be back peacefully asleep and your husband won't even wake up.

If you are nervous about rolling over on your baby put a rolled up towel between you. (This is not a real problem unless you or your husband is dead drunk and passed out, by the way, but people always bring it up as an excuse not to have the family bed.)

Also, for hubbie, just a reminder, there are many other places in the house to maker love. (That's usually their main concern.....)

Family beds are great and they make things so much easier and put your mind at ease. I can tell you will be up and down all night checking on your baby so why not make it easy on everyone from the start?

My son also brought up a good point about this when he was 4: How would you like it if you were so very new and you were made to be all alone away from anyone who provides love and comfort and cry for help for what seems like forever? He said, very astutely, it teaches you that you are all alone in the world and when you really, really need someone, no one will come. I think he's right on. Wonder where all the trust issues later in life stem from? Hmmm...There is plenty of time for your child to be independent. Babies need to be with their parents to feel safe. There is no good reason not to let them.

If you want a doctor's advise on this go to www.askdrsears.com Dr Sears has a topic called Co-sleeping and SIDS that is very informative.

Brightest Blessings,
Deb

HI K., congratulations on your baby girl! Awesome. First off, I would say that you can easily ditch the pillow/blanket under her head. She doesn't need it and will not miss it. If you feel like the pack and play mattress is too hard, I would pad it with a blanket and then put a fitted sheet over that. If you are swaddlig her and she likes it, I would continue that, but if she doesn't like being swaddled, try her in a sleep sack. You can find them at babiesRus and they are a wearable blanket. I have used them for my two and they work brilliantly and you never have to worry about your precious one's blanket coming off of her, going over her face, etc. Try it! Also, if you are swaddling her, and you want to break the habit of that, the sleepsack is a great transitionary tool, as it makes them feel cozy and protected. Hope that helps. Sounds like you are doing a great job, and take care!

H.

P.S. If you continue to lie awake at night worrying about SIDS (like I did!!) you can buy an "Angelcare" monitor. It is a monitor with sensor pads that fit underneath the crib mattress that pick up all of the baby's movements, even breathing. If baby stops breathing (no movement detected) after 20 seconds, an alarm sounds. It gave me such peace of mind! I used it for both of my babies. I little pricey, but sooooo worth it. :)

I would not use any type of blankets in the crib with her.
My opinion. It's just another risk factor.
Also, pillows at such a young age, is also not recommended.
Do not put anything in the crib with a baby, especially with a newborn.

For me, I used a "moses basket" until my son grew out of it at about 3 months old. Then we transitioned him to a crib... which he did fine with. He had no problems being in his crib.

Don't worry. But, don't put anything in the crib which can become a 'danger' to a baby. Using a blanket as a 'pillow' is dangerous... they can become tangled up in it, it can shift around and smother her, it can cover her face/nose by accident and certainly since babies this young don't have reflexes yet, they will NOT be able to 'save' themselves.

Always err on the side of caution and common sense and what is recommended by experts.

If anything, to make the crib a little more comfy, use a "quilted" type of crib mattress cover, over which you then put on the crib fitted sheet over it. That is what I do.

Never have any lose objects in the crib, especially with a newborn and young baby. Some babies even get stuck in between the crib mattress and the railings.... so be aware of that.

Best to be careful. If you are worried about her being cold at night...then you should use an appropriate "sleep sack" type of outfit as an option. Just google the word "sleep sack" and lots will turn up.

All the best,
Susan

take the blankets and pillow out ASAP! no blankets or pillows til they're over 16 months..even then no pillows..my son is 3..still no pillow...if u want to elevate one side of the crib then u can put a pillow under the mattress...please take those out. you should join babyzone.com and find your child's birthday club..month/year..and those moms will help u out..i was on there when i was pregnant and for my son's 1st 2 years..i read so many sad stories about babies dying b/c of blankets..even babes that were 7 months old. That is a big no no..i even read a story about grandparents putting a pillow in w/ a 15 month old boy and he died.
they can get tangled in the blanket and not be able to breath. Get her a sleep sack pajama ...are u swaddling?

Hi K. - congrats on your new little baby girl!
I haven't had time to read all your requests, so I am sure I am repeating some...but just i case.

Babies do not need pillows, so forget that idea. Dress her warmly, rule of thumb is one more layer than you are to be warm. If it is chilly in the house, go onese, socks, sleeper, sleep sack......keep the heater low at night (70?)....if the room is too warm, it isn't good for the baby. If she likes to be swaddled, then skip one layer of the clothing....just sleeper and swaddle. Swaddle her tight so she is cozy and lay her on her back. she should be just fine. Skip covering her with a blanket until she can safely roll over back and forth on her own (4-6 months?) You wouldn't be a "normal" mommie if you weren't worried about SIDS. But try not to focus too much on it, hang in there!

PLEASE realize that even if you are guilty of all of the risk factors - this does not necessarily mean your child will die of SIDS. The idea is to give the safest possible environment for your child.

The blanket-as-a-pillow is unnecessary so I'd take it out. As far as a blanket is concerned - I swaddle my babies so they are in there with a blanket, but it's isn't lose. If she's just in some warm PJ's then you don't need a blanket to keep her warm. When babies get a little more mobile (rolling, sitting, scooting) the risk factors change a little bit.

I recommend Dr. Sears' website for SIDS information. He wrote a wonderful book on the subject as well.
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/10/t102100.asp

Best wishes.

Hi K.,
Get rid of the blankets, including the one made into a pillow, and just buy a sleep sack if you are worried that she's cold at night. Let me tell you about my close call. When my daughter was a couple of months old, I placed a blanket just over her tummy/legs one night, then I went out to watch TV w/ my husband. It was one of those super soft, but a bit thick blankets. I figured it was so low, not next to her face, so no worries. Then a few minutes later, I had an odd feeling. I went back into the room, and my daughter had kicked the blanket and it has shifted and was laying over her face. She was struggling. When I lifted the blanket off her face, she was red and beginning to sweat. The look of relief on her face was something I still remember. I'm sure you can guess the feelings that were coursing through me at that moment!! I never covered her with a blanket after that. Well, that's my experience and I hope it helps you -- best of luck and congratulations!!

K.,

I strongly suggest removing the make-shift pillow, the blankets, and any other loose items where the baby is sleeping. As a newborn there isn't a lot of moving around, but as they grow and move more these items pose great risks...getting tangled in the blanket, being unable to breathe, etc... Your Dr. should have discussed this all with you? With my 3 year old, 21 month old, and now my 6 month old I am always checking on them due to SIDS worries, so I take every precaution...swaddling, laying them on their back, etc... We swaddled all our girls...it kept them cozy and warm. Stop swaddling once the baby can roll over though! You'll get tons of opinions here, so I suggest you speak with your Dr. too :) All the best! S.

The blanket under her head for a pillow worries me more than covering her but both increase the SIDS risk. My baby is still in her pack an play and she sleeps on nothing more than the sheet. I have a positioner in there and I swaddle her tightly (she will not sleep otherwise.) A blanket sleeper also would work great if you have one or can find one. Babies DO NOT need a pillow. That is a huge risk. I recently purchased a wrap for her crib mattress that is supposed to protect baby from the gases produced from there crib mattresses that may be the reason for SIDS it is called babesafe mattress cover. Congratulations on the new little one! I know how anxiety can get the best of us mom's that love their little ones sooo much.

If you are worried about the blankets I would use a sleep sack instead. It's a little sack you zip them up into that acts like a blanket for when they sleep. So no loose blankets to get tangled in and they still stay warm. Carters makes a flannel one, but there are a bunch of other ones you can choose from at Babies R Us. The blanket under her head is probably not necessary. We love those sleep sacks, it's a great way to keep your baby warm and to reduce your worry about SIDS.

I'd like to clarify that SIDS is not caused by a parenting mistake, therefore it cannot be prevented by any certain method of childcare. I know that's not a comforting thought, but it's true. You can't always believe what you read. Suffocation could be a risk with having too many big, fluffy blankets or pillows in the crib. I suggest not using a pillow and getting some sleepers or use a thin blanket. I co-slept with my babies so I always knew they were warm and safe. There are safer ways to co-sleep. It's not always risky. Check out Mothering Magazine for more on bedsharing. Best Wishes!!!

Hi K., Your baby is fine right now so be thankful and don't worry. As others say, I also would advise you to not use crib bumpers, blankets or pillows or blankets for pillows etc.

When my twin boys were newborn we just used regular swaddling blankets to swaddle them and that is perfectly safe. I used a sleep positioner for one of my sons to keep his upper body slightly higher because he had acid reflux as a young infant. When they were around a month or two we started using those Kiddopotomus swaddleme blankets, which is like a sleep sack that has wings so you can wrap the baby's upper body. I loved those. We used them until the boys were about 4 moths and outgrew them. We then tried sleep sacks, but my boys hated those. They couldn't kick their legs around freely enough, I guess. So from then on we just used footed PJs and I add a shirt (or 2) and socks for extra warmth when it's cold. Also after we moved them to their cribs, we used those breathable crib bumpers because my boys rolled around so much, I felt they needed a little padding for when they bumped heads against the sides. Hope this helps. Good luck.

I want to add my input in addition about those who use blankets and Boppy pillows etc. Their babies may have come out fine and thankfully so, but the risks are still there. If you read the warnings on the Boppy package it will advise you to not use it in a crib. The facts are that babies' breathing can be very shallow naturally and if something should obstruct their nose or mouth they can suffocate very easily. I have also read that there might a link between the chemicals used in fabrics and mattresses to SIDs. You were right to do the research and read warnings. Do what makes you feel comfortable. It is your baby. You only get one chance with these kind of things.

I'm not saying there is any reason to freak out about SIDs. Just that it is worth being cautious and aware of as with any other kind of danger. Your baby is worth it.

K. G.

SID's is indeed common, but you should ask your doctor or check with webmd.com and find out what the real facts are before you do any panicing. SID's having the impact it has on children can cause excess stress on parents who have nothing to really worry about. I don't want you to think I am downplaying this disorder, but you may want to get your family physician to verify your daughter is a candidate for SID's (sudden infant death). Asthma can appear much like a major breathing disorder, my youngest had bronchial asthma from the time he was born, I used to use the car seat for him to sleep in an upright position in his crib. He was ultimately put in another room from me to share his room with his brother, but this was my choice after coming to terms with the fact that my youngest boy will probably always have breathing problems and I will just have to be aware of these and take care of it as the need arose. As for using pillows for your daughter, it was found that these can smother small children as they have not yet learned how to turn over, so it was considered a danger for the cribs to have the side padding on the bed or the pillow.

Have you tried swaddling? I find that helpful because it keeps them covered and safe - they can't get under the blanket this way. The SwaddleMe works great if your little one is not a really mover/twister. I've had to use the Miracle Blanket on my new little one bc he was always wiggling out of anything else! Also, you can buy a "wedge" at most baby stores - it snuggles the baby so you can place them on their back or side and it angles them up about 45 degrees so that if they spit up or are congested - there is drainage away from them rather than staying on/in them as it might be if they are lying on their backs. I know it's hard - but try not to get caught up in all the fear. Your baby and you both have a natural intuition - and she will let you know if something is amiss and she needs you. Do what you can and know is best, then do your best to let everything else (and everyone's sage advice) go... =) You know better than anyone else when it comes to your baby, you, and your situation. Trust that loving inner voice, not the fearful one. Good job!!!!

You should not have a blanket under her head, that's a good way to give her neck problems that could last her a lifetime. Babies need a flat surface to sleep on. I make sure to use blankets that are knit so if it were to cover baby's head she can still breath through the little holes. The danger with blankets covering baby's head is not suffocation, but rather CO2 inhalation. Once there head is covered, the air exhaled will stay trapped and CO2 will build up until there is no more oxygen left. My Dr. recommended no crib bumpers until baby can roll around by herself.
Personally I am a believer in co-sleeping, research has proved it to be the most effective way to prevent SIDS. My husband and I put both our kids in bed with us for the first year and that made night time breast feeding way easier. I know alot of Moms really like the bedside crib where you can also get instant access without having her in between you and Daddy.

Hope this helps!
I have a 3yr old son and 16 mo old daughter, they are the light of my life:)
Pamela

According to everything I have read, you shouldn't have anything in the bed with her, including pillows or blankets. However, if you tuck a blanket under her arms and then tuck it into the mattress on each side of her, she will not be able to move it. Sleep positioners would also keep her in one position so she can't move around. Another idea is to swaddle her, which would limit her arm movement, and a lot of babies like the feeling of being wrapped up and it helps them sleep, and also keeps their flailing arms and hands from waking themselves up. Or, you can also dress her in a long sleeve onesie and then a sleep sack (which is a nightgown that zips at the bottom like a sleeping bag) for bedtime, and this way you probably won't need any blankets. I hope this helps!

Hi - Do not use blankets in crib for first year and definitely not for a pillow. You can swaddle tighly or use a sleep sack. Infants should always sleep on their backs. My ped. advised me to also remove the bumper in my babies crib until they they could roll over on their own which was about 6-7 months old.

My daughter was 9 days old when she stopped breathing the first time and was put in the NICU so that they could run every test possible, they never found anything wrong, it was a case of SIDS. Now my daughter is a healthy 10 month old baby that sleeps in her crib in her own room. SIDS is when babies forget to breathe, APNEA. Not sleep apnea, that is what adults experiance. Babies also stop breathing when they are awake. I have lots of pointers for you since I talked to soooo many doctors and specialists when my daughter was in the hospital. First of all, take out the pillow she does not need one. Don't over dress baby, she could get too comfy and stop breathing. Studies have shown that there are more cases of SIDS in the winter months due to overdressing. Keep you room warm, put baby in a onesie and swaddle her. If you decide to put her in a crib, make sure that the mattress is firm, the softer it is the more comfy she gets. Don't smoke around baby of course. When my daughter got out of the hospital, the doctor recommended that I sleep with her on my chest, for some reason my breathing would help her breathing regulate. I did that for 2 months and then slept with her in her bouncer next to our bed until her was 6 months. I know that they say to put baby to sleep on their back BUT I did that with my son when he was first brought home from the hospital and he spit up in his sleep and choked on it. Luckily I'm a light sleeper and heard him gagging. So with him I got one of those sleep postioners and put him to sleep on his side and I didn't have to worry that he would choke in his sleep or roll onto his tummy. I hope that this info helps you alot and congrats on your new baby!

Hi K.,
From all of my research I have found that much of SIDS involves the chemicals in the mattresses. This can be avoided using a mattress cover or by using fans to circulate the air. Check out the Mercola.com website.
I would also consider using the Halo Sleep Sack instead of using blankets.

Lose the "pillow" blanket. With a young infant I would sleep with both bedroom doors (yours and hers) open, so that you can hear her breathing when you wake at night, or easily get up to check without waking her by opening the door. Then make sure to put her on her back. Is she rolling over by herself? Then, wait to put her to bed in her own room until she can hold her head up at a 90 degree angle when on her tummy. If she is a back sleeper and does not turn over on her own, make sure that you spend almost all of her waking hours, when she is "down" (not being held or fed) on her tummy, even if she doesn't like it at first. Play with her on her tummy to help her enjoy it. Tummy time is important for many reasons, the "back to sleep" campaign to put all young infants to bed on their backs has resulted in fewer crib deaths from suffocation, but has also resulted in a huge increase in mishapen heads, cranio-facial abnormalities, etc. The molding helmet to correct this condition costs about #$3,000, and it has to be worn for six weeks, being adjusted every two weeks. If it diagnosed and treated young. If not, it may have to be worn for six months (and adjusted every two weeks). Also, all mobility starts from the tummy position, so crawling, creeping, getting to sit, pulling to stand - may all be delayed if the child is not put on her tummy. When you want her to start sleeping through the night (3 months?), you shut her door, but not yours. By that time she should be able to lift her head 90 degrees. See what the Doc. says about when it is OK to change the sleep position too. I think they never bother to tell you that, and then they don't see the result of the kids needing the molding helmet. It used to be very rare, and now it is extremely common. My daughter was in foster care as an infant and she was left on her back or in a reclining seat all the time. No one wanted to put up with her fussing about being on her tummy so she never was. She has other medical problems, too, but they were aggravated by never being placed on her tummy. The molding helmet was recommended, but no one followed through on it, and by the time I got her (15 months) she was too old to have it done. I immediately had her start sleeping on her belly, and the back of her (very flat) head popped out the first night! Also her hair started growing in better. She is finally learning to crawl, creep, and walk, but she would have been less delayed if she had been given the opportunity to develop movement earlier by being placed on her tummy. She is also getting physical therapy now, but that too, should have started much earlier, given her medical conditions.

My kids did not use any type of pillow until age 3. I still one that is still two and she does not use a pillow. I started using blankets to cover them around 10 months but sleep sacks with footie PJ's work great and keep the baby warm.

Don't worry yourself too much or you'll never sleep again! We moved our daughter into her own room when she was 4 weeks and when she was too big to swaddle we used a sleep sack. It work wonderfully and there is no way they can accidentally cover themselves with them. When it was cooler we just made sure she was in a long sleeved night gown. Also they have sleep sacks of different weights so we had a thicker one for when it was cold and a lighter one for when she just needed a light covering. Our apartment at that time had no insulation so during the winter we would put little baby gloves on her hands to keep them warm (but again, that's because it literally had no insulation and was freezing). Also, as far as the pillow goes babies don't really need them but if you really feel she needs one you can research SIDS safe options. There are memory foam pillows made especially to help their little heads be shaped correctly and some are attached to sleep positioners that help keep babies on their backs, but again just research and ask your pediatrician. Good luck with the transition and sleep peacefully!

P.S. the SIDS risk is especially for babies who are old/strong enough that they can move their blanket over their head but not know to move it down. At 6 weeks and before they aren't usually that strong so don't feel like you've been a terrible mom.

I do know that nothing should be in their crib. Especially the blanket for a pillow. The crib shouldn't even have bumpers on it. Just dress your little one warm - but not too warm, if you are afraid of her getting cold in the night.

Hi,

I can understand your worry & wanting to take care of your little one & keep her safe. With our daughter we didn't have anything in the crib/pack & play with her. My understanding is that anything that can obstruct the childs breathing should not be with them while they sleep. No blankets, stuffed animals, pillows etc... Also, always put her on her back to sleep.

As far as keeping her cozy while she sleeps, we would put her in her sleepware and then put her in a sleep sack. Here is the link to the site of the sleep sack that we used. www.halosleep.com There is a lot of great safe sleep tips & info on this site that I think will help you make the best choice for your little one.

Our daughter was comfortable and we could sleep in peace knowing she was as safe as we could make her. Hope this helps you, and blessings to you & your family!

Hi K.,

Having a blanket under your 6 week old's head and also a blanket on her sounds extremely dangerous. You are putting your infant at risk of rolling her face onto the blanket you use as a pillow and having her smother herself. If not with that blanket, then with the one you cover her with.

If you want to keep her warm, swaddle her tightly. There are ready made zip front swaddle blankets you can buy that she zips into like a little burrito and she will stay warm and SAFE.

Also, if you insist on a pillow, try a Noggin Nest, but if I were you I would not use anything at all. It's better to be safe than sorry!!!

I may be the dissenting voice here but does everybody else consider the fact that SIDS occurs only 1 out of 2500 births. I think it is not something we should be freaking out. That said, I did not use any pillows with my children as well until he truned 2. For the times when he was congested, and would benfit from some tilt, I roleld a towel UNDER his matress so that his bed would have a soft angle.

Because of the SIDS worry I would use a swaddling blanket or a sleep sack. This way she will stay warm without the danger of the blanket coming loose and covering her head. I used both with my son and still use the sleep sack. They both work like a charm.

I think why risk it. Put her in a sleep sack instead of using any type of blanket. then put her on her back in her crib. she doesn't need a pillow (for a long time). better safe in this case?

Congrats on having a beautiful baby girl!

I would recommend using a sleep sack and taking the pillow away altogether.

If you are really worried, try buying an Angelcare monitor. I bought mine at Babies R Us for my son because he started to roll onto his tummy and slept better in that position. I can sleep worry free knowing that if anything goes wrong that I will be notified right away.

Hope this helps. Take care!

I had a nephew pass away 5 years ago to sids. I now have a 6 month old son, when he first came home I can not even tell you how many sleepless nights I had. I took all the precautions, but, it was in the middle of winter the first couple of months he was born. I covered him up with 2 thin blankets, making sure thay were kinda tucked under him a little bit in case he were to roll or grab them in the middle of night. He is fine now.

we used a halo sleep sack for our kids when they were young infants (like a wearable blanket with arm holes). when they were very young, we rolled up receiving blankets and placed them on either side of the baby (below the arms) to keep them from rolling over when sleeping. we did not use a pillow. if the baby is congested, you can get a wedge to put under the mattress in the crip or you can put something under the bassinet cushion to raise it slightly.

Hi K.! Congrats on your baby girl! I would have to agree with Tammie. When my daughter was a newborn we would dress her in two layers of clothing to keep her warm. If it was chilly outside I would put two sleepers on her. This seemed to keep her warm. I did make the mistake of putting a blanket over her one night, and when I went to check on her the blanket was over her face. Thank the lord nothing happened to her, but from that scare I learned to not put blankets on her. Also babies do not need pillows. My daughter just turned two and she still does not use a pillow because she moves around so much.

I would also say no pillow. We swaddled our daughter until she was around 5 months old. Then we switched to the wearable blanket, which look like long and closed off vests. You can find them at marshalls for cheap. Brand was Halo SleepSack. We don't use any other sheets, blankets, or covers. Good luck on the transition to crib! Our baby co-slept until we were ready for crib, and it took about a week to get used to.

Congratulations on your baby!
I have 3 kids of my own (5yr, 3yr and 7mo), with each child, I would have their crib next to my bed and instead of using blankets, I'd swaddle or use a sleep sack. My 7 mo old is constantly getting sick (due to her older siblings being in preschool) so to help with the congestion I have her use a toddler pillow. She's been using it since she was 8 weeks. Found it at Babies R Us called Relax Toddler Pillow to keep her head elevated. Or you can add a wedge under the crib mattress in lieu of a pillow. With baby# 3 I noticed the hospital didn't put a cap on her, was told that new studies show "over heating" causes an increase with sids.
Good luck!

SIDS is very rare, so don't let the fear of it ruin your sleep. Just be safe. No pillows or blankets are necessary for an infant. Just make sure your baby is in warm enough jammies or a sleep sack. Best wishes and God Bless!

K.,
My understanding is that we are to simply keep our little ones from getting overheated. So, for instance, dress your baby in attire that fits the temperature in the home. She doesn't need a "pillow" or blanket under her head, but if it's a little chilly in the house, a thin blanket and jammies are sufficient.
Blessings,
T.

First, get rid of the blanket you are using for a pillow. Babies do not need them at all until they are much older. second, when I had my daughter (in November) one of the nurses did this when we were at the hospital and we contiued when we got home and then did it when we had our son. Swaddle her in a small recieving blanket and a bigger hin blanket, they even sell swaddleing blanket now if you can not get the swaddleing down. Then take another recieving blanket fold it in half and tuck it in around your babies sides. Only bring the blanket to be about part way up her chest, she will not need it much higher than that. This helped me to feel like it was okay to give her a extra blanket, becasue the nurse did it too, I also felt like she was staying warm, and it somehow managed to keep her swaddled for longer so she slept longer. She also slept better when we moved her into her own bed. Whne it warms up a little as summer gets closer I would just put her in a sleep sack if you are to worried over her being hot. Hope this will work for you if you try it. Good Luck!!

Hi there!
I put my son in Halo's Sleepsacks. They are wearable blankets that help reduce the risk of SIDS. They are also very comfortable, he loves them...and unlike blankets they stay on him all night so he stays warm! I would definitely recommend them, you can buy them at BabiesRUs for about $20.

in the last generation you were ONLY supposed to put babies on their tummies, now they are saying no. When my son was that little, i didn't put anything in his crib other than a blanket. I didn't find harm in this since he was not able to move, and I didn't want him getting cold. Of course, the baby kicked the blanket off in a matter of minutes, so who knows if it did any good?
My son also prefered to sleep on his tummy, so I allowed him to during the day and when I couldn't controll it as he got older and rolled around.
I think it is good to be cautious, but don't stress about it unnecessarily.

Im a grandma of a twelve yr. old girl and a new comer of 1 and a half mos.To my knowledge SIDS is due mainly because of sleep APNEA (This means; babies forget to breathe) or breathe at too big intervals of time between one breath and the next one. Unfortunately this happenned to one of my friends a long time ago now. She had her baby bathed and dressed ready for baptism and baby went to sleep. baptism was to be held after mass. baby never woke up. the lord just took his angel back. So sad. WE at home, here my daughter and I used a synthetic fiber blankie for a pillow until four days ago my daughter found alitlle pillow that has a sewn circle in the middle creating thus, a nest. The baby is using it now, and I consider this a plus because our baby has weak neck muscles and she would easily slept with her head tilted.Do not woory so much Sids is rare.Just do your best to keep your baby well tended during the day. check on her. keep her on sight. Enjoy your baby. Give her all your free time play with her, hold and cuddle her, and very important; make eye contact while talking to her.
May god bless you in raising this child and keep ner from harm.

Hi K., Don't worry about sids, I raised 3 kids all now grown, they all slept on their tummy's they were always coverd with a blanket, in fact when my kids were babies they had comforters with the zippers on the kind of like a sleeping bag for babies, I used those during the winter time. I have heard many things about what causes sids, mostly that sids is more common in boys, and that sleeping them on their tummy's can cause sids. This is what a pediatrician told me 22 years ago when my son was a baby he told me that all baby's hearts stop beating sometimes while they sleep, but the majority of baby's hearts go back to beating no problem, but once in a while a baby doesn't, and it used to be called crib death because baby's sleep in their cribs, a friend of mine was holding her baby in a rocking chair, she feel asleep holding her baby girl, when she woke up in the morning her baby was dead, they ruled it as sids. You don't need to elevate your baby's head when she sleeps. I also heard that stuffed animals in the crib can cause sids, all 3 of my baby's had stuffed animals in their cribs, my mom had 5 kids she said we all slept on our tummy's and we all had stuffed animals in our cribs. As a new mom you are going to have worries, but to much worring can sap the joy of having this beautiful baby girl, it's good to ask questions, I think sids is one of those things that happens, that really can not be explained, enjoy your daughter, you are not doging Sids, you are just a new mom who loves her baby and wants what is best for her, so try not to worry so much, I was a worryer as well, heck my kids are 25, 22 and almost 20 and I still worry about them sometimes, it's called being a mom. J. L.

you are normal to worry. W/ my 1st I was a mess. I even took my son to the ER because he was "breathing funny". Use a blanket sleeper, no pillows, blankets, toys any of that stuff. just a sheet in the bed. and put her to sleep on her back. keep her room cool. That is what you can do.

Swaddle her with the blanket. Or tuck it into the crib mattress. Or use a sleep sack. They really shouldn't have a loose blanket till they can sit up and roll over.

In addition to the rest of the advice, put a fan in your baby's room to circulate the air. New research shows this reduces SIDS by 75-80%. I personally use an air purifier that not only circulates and cleans the air, but also contributes to white noise to help her sleep better.
BTW - once your baby can roll over both ways her risk of SIDS is greatly reduced.

Hi K.,

We used these great things called "sleep sacks" with our son. They're basically a blanket sewed like a little bag the child wears with the arms and head sticking out. They worked great for us and kept him toasty as well as safe. It's been a few year, but we found them at Babies R Us.

Good luck and try realize that you're doing what you can and try to relax a little. I know it's hard with a newborn but try not to drive yourself crazy.

she doesn't need a pillow. That's the dangerous one. A swaddled blanket is fine or you can get one of those sleep sacks. My babies had blankets on them and are fine. Once they can roll over on their own there is less worry.

HI K.,

I was very paranoid about SIDS when my daughter was 0-10 months old l(she is now 13 months old). I used to check on her continuously while she was napping, I would put my hand on her stomach to make sure she was breathing.. you know, all those frantic things we do.
Anyway, per the pediatrician and many other specialists, you should be swaddling your baby and putting one light blanket over her. No pillows and nothing else around her, and yes she should always be on her back.

I hope this helps.

Take care.

I would take away the "blanket under her as pillow", because infants don't need a pillow. If you want her head to be a little elevated (which is actually a good idea at this age), put a crib wedge or a rolled-towel under the "crib mattress", so the whole mattress is elevated and she won't get tangled.

It is still a GOOD idea to swaddle her at this age. Just make sure you swaddle or wrap the blanket around her reasonably tightly. Some kids like their arms out, some don't. Our pediatritian said that either way is fine but if she could sleep with even just one arm wrapped it helps sooth her. We swaddle our two kids till they were about 4 months old, then at that time we switch to a wearable blanket (with a zipper in in front). The wearable blanket keeps her warm and there is no risk of getting tangled. There shouldn't be any other blanket in the crib until, I'd say, she is one year old.

Hope this helps.

Hi K.,
Welcome to the worry club! With my two kids I used a swaddling blankets or halo swaddling sleep sacks, and just sleep sacks when they no longer wanted to be swaddled. The halo sleep sacks go from infants to toddler and in fleece for cold nights and cotton jersey-like material for not so cold nights. My eldest daughter didn't use blankets til she was 2years old. Not because I was that worried about SIDS after 1yr but because she just kicked her blankets off every nite
HOpe that helps.

C.

Its ok if she is in a pack n play. My last child was in a pack and play for a long time.
Your should not sleep on a blanket or wrapped in a blanket.
You can buy a sleeping sack at Babies r us.

The sleeping area should be free of toys , blankets and pillows.

I have done it all. Yes I used a blanket a couple times to prop up one of mine, if she tends to sleep better propped, then put the blanket under the mattress, it will slightly lift the end of the bed, but then they tend to "slide" so not too much an inch or two is good.I think the big concern is the Loose heavy stuff they can curl up too/scoot too that is a hazard. But hey I thank God I have not had an issue, a sleep blanket is good, depending on the weather, I have put them to bed in snow bibs too...sometimes it is FREEZING here. Relax, be cautious but don't STRESS. I used a "sleep positioner" thing that kept them on their backs..I used it to keep them on their sides, it worked for about 8 months and then after that they do what they want anyways!LOL. At this age, wrap tightly and they cant move any ways. They have blankets just for that, but after 2 1/2 months they did not work for my latest one,(I have 6 & it is a newer item I think) So it was a waist of money for me. Good luck and ENJOY this absolute precious time with you new baby girl, this time is a hiccup in your life, it will all too soon be over. What ever you decide to do, If you ask around I bet someone has what ever it is you choose, you could borrow or have,save a few $$, as they are only good for a couple months!

In my opinion, I think the blanket under her head needs to go right away. I feel that is the biggest risk. Second, if you put her down at night in a blanket sleeper she'll be better off then with a blanket over her. If it's still too cold at night, turn up the thermostat a notch or two. Good luck to you and your new family!

ill tell you what i know about SIDS and what every doctor will tell you about SIDS.
no one knows what causes it, its a freak of nature "syndrome" that no doctor can explain. the name SIDS is just used to describe a childs death when there is no known cause that an autopsy can reveal. i have heard of toddlers being diagnosed with SIDS. it is what it is, sudden infant death.

dont worry about it so much that it stresses you out. just make sure your baby is near you when she is sleeping so you can check on her every time your instinct tell you to.

ive had three babies and my fourth is on the way, they all slept with blankets and i even had two of them sleep with the Boppy pillow in the crib. half the time they slept in my bed as well. my first two never had a problem with the blankets, my youngest still likes to stuff his face into them while hes sleeping, so i constantly have to move his head while hes sleeping so he can breath. he does it with the mattress as well so it doesnt make much difference if there are blankets, but i always keep a pillow there because then he leans his forehead on the pillow with his mouth free. you just have to know your childs sleep habits.

good luck!

Hi there,

Babies should not sleep with blankets or pillows, just a feeted PJ's will keep her warm enough. Many babies suffocate sleeping with blankets because they get wrapped up in them.

She will be fine, do not worry!

Leah

Hello K.,
Congratulations on becoming a mommy!
Yes, blankets are a risk with a baby. There are several other ways to keep them warm. The potato sack sleepers are my favorite choice which you can buy just about anywhere they sell baby clothes. There is no need for a pillow in a crib anyway. If you feel the need to prop her up while she sleeps, I would suggest a swing or carseat. Sounds strange and almost mean but most moms who have babies who spit up a lot try it and they are comfortable and safe. You get better sleep, so will they!
As for SIDS, I HEARD...may want to look into it...they did a recent study that shows a nursery with a fan on is cutting down on SIDS by 75%. They're saying the face is drawn to the air breeze and they're more likely to breath correctly on their own. I don't know that it's true but it sure helps me sleep at night.
Know that you're not the only one who panics about the issue. I still check on my 5 year old at night and make sure he's still breathing. Crazy, I know. Anyway, good luck with it and happy zzzzzzz's.

HI K.,
First of all, Congratulations!
I didn't read all the advice you got but you may also want to invest in a SIDS monitor if you're really worried. We got one for Dylan because he was starting to have a flat head sleeping on his back and we wanted to be able to put him on his belly also. We ordered a SIDS monitor for BED, BATH, & BEYOND for about a $100. It's been a great investment for us being able to sleep not worrying about that. A colleague of my husband had the same monitor and it actually rang one night because the baby had stopped breathing. The got to her in time and everything turned out okay.
Good luck!
S.

I wouldn't worry to much either. All my babies slept on they're bellies with blankets. I wouldn't use the one like a pillow they don't need pillows at this age.

The 2 people I have met over years that had sids death were not even in a crib.

the 1st one the child was 1.5 and on grandma's bed face up. Know where near the pillows, and no blanket. Grandma just checked on him and it was to late.

the 2nd they had gone out shoping with baby in the carseat carried. The baby did the usual jump when moved or a big noise happened they put him in the car drove home toke him out of the car he didn't jump or move when she moved his seat. This is when she realized he wasn't breathing did cpr but it was to late also.

I don't think it has anything to do with blankets or stuffed things or being on the bellies, babies sleep better that way. It's simply something that happens. Sad but true. Your a good mom but don't worry so much, you know your baby better then anyone else. Good luck. J.

Rather than giving her a blanket, put her in a Halo Sleep sack over her pajamas. No bumpers or a pillow in the crib either, if you want to reduce the risk.

No blankets or other loose objects at that age! I suggest swaddling your baby in a tight swaddle. Kiddopatamus makes a great and easy swaddling blanket. Babies don't need the same sleep comforts we do. Another SIDS prevention tip is to keep a fan going in the room they are sleeping in.
I am a sleep consultant. Check out my blog www.lullabyluna.com for other sleep tips- look back at January blogs for newborn/infant sleep tips or search for whatever you are looking for...

It IS scary, but try not to let it worry you too much because you don't want it interfere with all the joy you are feeling. Yes, there is the rare SIDS case, but most likely your baby will be just fine. I had 3 and I would indeed not put a blanket under her head - they just move around too much and aren't capable of moving that blanket if it gets around her nose & mouth. I put my babies in sleepers that had the feet in and were appropriate for the type of current weather so that a big blanket wasn't necessary. You could still use to cover though, but not a pillow. Also, try not to have her sleep on something soft - that's not supposed to be good.
Enjoy your baby!!
M.

I don't think that at 6 wks babies are capable of turning over and getting their face stuck in the blanket. But once you stop swaddling, don't use blankets -- especially knitted ones b/c they can pick at the yarn and cause a strangulation. In cool weather use the blanket sleepers. Babies don't need pillows of any kind.

She doesn't need to have anything under her head as a pillow at her age. Neither of my kids had pillows until they were over 2. As far as a blanket, I would swaddle her or get one of the sleep sacs that zip up. They have them at babys r us and target I think. At her age swaddling is the best bet. There is a great swaddling blanket out there, I think it is called the miracle blanket that we used with our second baby, and wished we had had for our fist.