Safe sleep: 10 rules for sleeping peacefully

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Rules for safe sleep

In our country every year, over 300 children suddenly die in their sleep: the main cause is the cot death syndrome or accidental death from suffocation. This can happen due to pillows, blankets and mattresses that can cause the suffocation, or in the event that the child sleeps in the bed with the parents, which can accidentally end up against the child.

How to avoid these misfortunes? The pediatrician Alberto Ferrando, author of "The bedtime book - What to know and what to do for your baby's happy sleep"explains the essential safety measures to sleep safely.

Read also: 10 tips to prevent SIDS

The book of sleep

THE AUTHOR
Alberto Ferrando, family pediatrician since 1978, has been involved in dissemination and courses for years. He is the author of numerous articles for various newspapers and since 2022 he has been talking to mothers and fathers through his blog.

 

THE BOOK
The bedtime book - What to know and what to do for your baby's happy sleep

by Alberto Ferrando, Edizioni Lswr
272 pages, isbn 9788868957391

10 rules for safe sleep

1. Forbidden to smoke close to the child
   
   
   
2. The child always has to sleep in belly up, both during the daytime nap and at night. Do not let him sleep on his stomach or on his side
   
   
   
3. Do not use mattresses, pillows and blankets that are too soft: the baby could sink or be wrapped in the blanket, choking
   
   
   
4. The ideal would be to have the child wear a long-sleeved onesie / pajamas, or better still a sleeping bag, so that he can stay warm without the need for blankets
   
   
   
5. Check that the ambient temperature does not exceed 20 ° C: A higher temperature is harmful because the baby is unable to regulate his own body temperature on his own
   
   
   
6. Soft toys, toys, loose linens must remain out of the reach of the child

1. Keep appliances and sources away from the bed electromagnetic fields. Do not put the child to sleep near windows where there are cords of curtains or blinds.

1. Do not tie the pacifier to the baby's body with chains, laces, ribbons, ropes or of any kind as they risk causing injuries to the fingers, hands or neck or strangulation

1. Make sure that the house animals cannot get close to the baby while he sleeps
   
   
   
2. Attention to hygiene: wash your hands frequently and also the baby's hands and face. Change the bedding often.

Read also: Sids, all there is to know about cot death

Questions and answers

What position should the baby sleep in?

The baby should always sleep on his stomach, both during the daytime nap and at night. Do not let him sleep on his stomach or on his side.

How should the mattresses and blankets be in the baby's crib?

Mattresses, pillows and blankets should not be too soft: the baby could sink or be wrapped in the blanket, suffocating.

How should the temperature be in the baby's room?

The ambient temperature must not exceed 20 ° C: a higher temperature is harmful because the child is not able to independently regulate his own body temperature.

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• sids