Learn your baby's sleep habits and crib safety
Babies’ sleep habits vary. Some newborns will awaken only to be fed and then immediately go right back to sleep. Others will remain awake for longer periods of time. It may take several weeks before he knows that he is supposed to sleep longer at night than during the day. Because babies grow rapidly, they need a lot of sleep. Most newborns wake every two to four hours and sleep an average of 16 to 20 hours during a 24-hour period. Babies usually wake up when they are uncomfortable. They may be wet, they may be too hot or too cold, they may just want to be held, but most often they are hungry. You should always lay your baby on their back to sleep unless your baby’s physician has told you differently.
As a new parent, it can be tempting to let your baby sleep in bed next you, or in a bouncy seat or swing, just so you can get some rest. But the fact is that a baby dies every three days in Michigan due to unsafe sleeping environments and these deaths are 100 percent preventable. When you’re putting your baby to sleep – at nighttime and for naps – follow the ABC’s of safe sleep:
Alone:
Your baby should always sleep alone in an empty crib. Sleeping in the same bed as a caregiver increases your baby’s risk of suffocation. Share your room instead of your bed which will help you maintain physical contact as needed and encourage bonding.
On their Back:
Place your baby on his or her back for all sleep and naps until they are one-year-old. This can decrease the risk for sudden infant death syndrome, aspiration, and choking. If your baby is awake, allow your child time on his or her tummy as long as you are supervising.
In a Crib:
Use a firm mattress (covered by a tightly fitted sheet) to prevent gaps between the mattress and the sides of a crib. Avoid using loose bedding or soft objects such as bumper pads, pillows, comforters, or blankets in an infant's crib or bassinet to help prevent suffocation, strangulation, and entrapment.