15 Oct Transitioning to Safe Sleep

By Shontelle Davis
“In four short weeks I’ll have a one-year-old! I can’t believe how fast time has flown by. The coo’s turned into giggles and now come out as full-blown laughter; his small curly coils now make up a big curly afro; that gummy grin now has 4 and a half baby teeth and best of all those sleepless nights are over! But, it was a journey to get here.

I had heard many horror stories about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and did a lot of research on what would reduce the risks. My grandma bought a bedside bassinet for the baby, and I made sure that it was firm, had a fitted sheet and nothing else was inside just as AAP recommends. As a first-time, single mother I felt a lot of pressure to get it right. I remember being incredibly tired trying to get Kaison to stay asleep in his bassinet. He would wake up often when I laid him down, but he slept so well next to me. I quickly fell into the routine of bed sharing.

I was ashamed to tell anyone where my son was sleeping. As a mother we already receive so much criticism when it comes to how we care for our children. Whether we chose to vaccinate or not, whether we work or stay at home, whether we breastfeed or formula feed and much more. This was a topic I just did not want to discuss.

There was one person who would not let me avoid the conversation about safe sleep and that was my son’s pediatrician. At every visit she would ask me a variation of that dreaded question. “Where is Kaison sleeping? Are you practicing safe sleep? Is Kaison sleeping in his crib?…” Each time my heart would beat rapidly and I’d smile and nod yes. I know I know; I shouldn’t have lied, but I was so scared to tell her. I don’t know if I was scared that she would be upset with me or that she would tell me what I already knew and feared. I didn’t want to hear the risk because I had already read all about asphyxiation, entanglement and other heart-breaking scenarios that could occur. (Many of which kept me up at night anyway) That all changed one day when my mom decided to join me and go to Kaison’s monthly well check. When the pediatrician asked me about safe sleep, my mom interrupted and told her that Kaison slept in my arms most nights. I could have melted into my seat. Contrary to what I believed; my son’s pediatrician was able to talk me through how to achieve safe sleep in a non-judgmental way that didn’t feel condescending. Each appointment since we have talked through small steps to help keep my son safe.

It can be overwhelming transitioning to safe sleep and that is ok. There are a few tips that I kept in mind to help me through. 1. You are not alone, there are many parents and caregivers that might have not started out practicing safe sleep and are now working to make sleeping safer for their infants. 2. Take things slow. It is not going to be a change that can easily be made over night. Make small changes and remain consistent. And the final tip is to remember why you are making this change. There are things in life that we do not have control over however, ensuring that infants are sleeping in a safe environment is one thing that we do have control over.

Please look over the A, B, C’s of safe sleep listed below and if you need help with this transition, reach out to someone such as your child’s pediatrician for help.”

A: Alone, infants should be placed in their own sleeping space.

B: Back, infants should be placed on their back not their side or stomach.

C: Empty Crib: Infants should be placed in their cribs or bassinets every time that they sleep. The crib or bassinet should also be empty and only include a fitted sheet.

D: Don’t smoke: Smoking around a baby or in their environment can lead to secondhand or thirdhand smoke.

E: Educate everyone: Educate anyone who may care for your infant to ensure their safety when they are out of your care.