10 Safe Sleep Tips Oklahoma Parents Need to Know

Our goal at Norman Regional is for new parents to not only have a great experience while delivering their baby at Norman Regional Hospital, but also that they go home with the knowledge to best care for their new baby.

The safety of your baby is always at the top of our minds, just as it is yours. As a new parent, your child’s safety is probably even more on your mind when they’re sleeping. That is why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the following sleep guidelines to help you have peace of mind while your baby is sleeping – allowing you to have the time to rest as well.

Safe sleep guidelines to help reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths:

1. Back is best!

   • Baby should always be placed down flat on their back for every sleep.

2. Baby should sleep on a firm, flat mattress that adheres to federal safety standards for cribs, bassinets, play yards and bedside sleepers.

   • The only thing used on the mattress should be a fitted sheet meant for that specific type of mattress. There should be no blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, bumpers, or other soft items in the crib, bassinet, play yard or bedside sleeper.

3. Don’t let baby sleep in sitting devices, such as car seats, strollers, swings, infant carriers, etc., especially babies younger than four months.

4. Baby should sleep in the same room as you for at least the first six months, but NOT in the same bed.

5. Breastfeed – when possible!

   • Breastfeeding reduces the risk of sleep-related infant deaths. The AAP recommends mothers breastfeed for one year or longer - as mutually desired by mom and baby.

6. Avoid parent and infant exposure to nicotine, alcohol and drugs.

7. Make sure baby is up to date on routine vaccinations.

8. Let baby use a pacifier when going to bed (once breastfeeding is established).

   • Pacifier use is associated with reducing risk. Make sure the pacifier used in the crib, bassinet, play yard or bedside sleeper does not have a clip and does not have a stuffed animal or blanket attached.

9. Avoid the use of commercial devices that claim to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or other sleep-related deaths.

   • There is no evidence that any of these devises reduce the risk of these deaths, according to the AAP. The Safe Sleep for Babies Act passed in 2022 will help get rid of potentially dangerous baby sleep products.

10. If swaddling, do not use weighted swaddles, weighted clothing or weighted objects on or near the baby.

    • There is no evidence to recommend swaddling as a strategy to reduce the risk of SIDS, according to the AAP. If swaddling, make sure to always place baby on their back. When your baby shows signs of attempting to roll (usually around 3-4 months), they should no longer be swaddled, as it could increase their risk of suffocation.

The AAP is constantly reviewing the safe sleep guidelines to ensure you and your baby have the best, most up-to-date guidelines, which is why the AAP released updates to its sleep guidelines in June 2022. These are reflected here. Norman Regional will always stay in the know of updates and use the most recent guidelines to ensure the safety of your baby while in our care, while equipping you with those same guidelines to help you keep your baby safe once home.

Currently expecting? We would love to care for you. Check out seven reasons to deliver at the Hospital and fill out our form for a new parent goody bag.