Is your nursery setup dangerous?

Every parent of a baby dreams of a good night’s sleep. Not just for themselves, but their baby as well. There’s plenty of products in stores and online that promise to help in that quest as you set up their nursery, but not all those products are safe for your infant.

“Avoid the use of any product other than a crib, bassinet, portable crib or play yard,” says Dr. Kevin Dahlman, the medical director for Aurora Children’s Health. “These meet the safety standards of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Use these recommended products along with a tight-fitting, firm mattress and fitted sheet designed for that particular product.”

When it comes to sleep safety, it’s not just the space where a baby takes a snooze, but also what surrounds the child.

“Pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, blankets, toys, bumper pads or similar products should all be avoided,” Dr. Dahlman says. “Babies sleep best on their backs away from entanglement and strangulation risk.”

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than 3,500 babies in the U.S. die every year while sleeping, “often due to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or accidental deaths from suffocation or strangulation.”

Dr. Dahlman says following a correct sleep environment and avoiding the use of unsafe sleep products helps reduce the risk of SIDS. So too does one other small item.

“A pacifier is recommended and helps reduce the risk of SIDS,” advises Dr. Dahlman.

If you’re unsure if your baby is in a safe sleep environment, there’s an easy way to check. Just follow ABC:

• Alone: Babies should sleep without blankets, bumpers, pillows or toys/stuffed animals
• Back: Babies should sleep on their backs – not on their side or stomach.
• Crib: Babies should sleep in a crib, bassinet or play yard with a firm mattress – not in an adult bed, inclined sleeper, couch or other soft surfaces.

Are you trying to find a pediatrician? Find one in Illinois or Wisconsin.