12 Aug SAFE SLEEP PRACTICES
| What a dream… both you and bub getting a good nights sleep! For most parents of newborns, in the first 6 – 12 months this is probably not a close reality, but today we hope to make your nights a little easier with some great advice from baby sleep specialist, Instagram influencer and Rescueblue Little Aid expert, Katie Williams! Also, the top tips from the Rescueblue paramedics to reduce risk of SIDS AND SUDI. Tips from the Rescueblue team to reduce risk of SIDS AND SUDI Here are the top key tips from the Rescueblue paramedics to reduce the risk of sudden infant death with your newborn: 1. Ensure there is nothing is in your baby’s sleep space. Remove all soft toys, pillows, cot bumpers and quilts. 2. Provide a firm mattress that fits snugly into the cot. For a healthy baby the mattress must be flat (not tilted or elevated). 3. Purchase a cot with 4 slatted slides without an enclosed end – the more air circulation, the lower the risk of SIDS and SUDI. 4. Keep baby’s face and head uncovered. 5. Tummy play is safe and good for babies while they are awake and an adult is present, but never put your newborn on their tummy to sleep. Always place baby on their back to sleep. 6. Before using a baby sleep bag make sure it has a fitted neck and arm holes and check that your baby’s head cannot slip through. 7. Keep baby smoke free, before and after birth. 8. Sleep baby in a safe cot in parents’ or caregiver’s room for the first 6-12 months, if possible. 9. Breastfeed your baby, if possible. |
| Interview with Baby Sleep Specialist, Katie Williams What inspired you to become a Baby Sleep Specialist? I have a background in working with children, I was a nanny for 12 years and have my Bachelor of Education. We had a really hard time with my son, Van’s sleep from the moment he came into the world and by 3.5 months my husband and I decided we needed to get some help. We worked with Donna from Bub2Sleep and by the end of our two weeks together, I wanted to shout from the rooftops that the miracle of sleep exists! Donna took a chance on me when I asked her if she had any room in her amazing business for me and the rest was history! I’ve now been with Bub2Sleep for a year and I absolutely love working with families one-on-one towards restoring sleep in their homes again. What do you find are the biggest mistakes parents make when they try to implement a sleep schedule? Often times when parents are working on implementing a sleep schedule they put too much pressure on themselves to get it perfect. Rather than creating a schedule, create good foundations. Correct wake time and feeding schedule are the most important. Also, practice sleeps in the bassinet and pram from day one. A lot of new parents worry about Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI), what steps can parents take to sleep their baby safely and comfortably? Always remember to sleep your baby on their back on a firm, flat surface with nothing in the sleep space but your baby with nothing covering their head or face. Most importantly, stay informed! Red Nose Australia have so many resources available on their website. Are there times when sleep training is not a good idea? Or are there babies where sleep training has not worked? I wouldn’t recommend strictly sleep ‘training’ a baby until 3 months of age. Prior to that you can definitely implement great sleep foundations but a huge part of those early months is just going with the flow. Sometimes if a baby has severe unmedicated colic or reflux it can be difficult to help them learn to sleep well as they are in a great deal of pain. Can introducing solids disrupt baby sleep patterns? Absolutely, it is recommended when introducing solids to your baby to do so in the morning, that way if there is a reaction to the food, or if baby becomes unsettled by it, the parents will be able to monitor the situation and it is less likely to impact their night sleep. As you enter the newborn bubble for the second time around, what are your top 3 must have items which you would recommend all new mums? Number one item would have to be the Growbright Airnest Mattress for when baby moves into a cot. It’s ultra breathable, regulates temperature, super comfortable and hypoallergenic. It gives the peace of mind knowing that if baby rolls and is face down, that they can just breathe right through it. Second would be a good feeding pillow, there is a lot of feeding that goes on with a new baby and it’s important to be comfortable. Third would be, hands down, the Baby Bjorn One Air carrier, we used it A LOT with our first, I think we’ll likely use it even more with baby number two. The convenience of being hands free whilst having bub nice and close in a safe and breathable environment is second to none! If you could offer one piece of advice to all new parents, what would it be? Go easy on yourselves! No two babies are the same and (unfortunately) there is not a manual for these gorgeous little cherubs. Don’t listen to judgement from others, trust in your innate intuition as parents and do what feels right for you and your family. Follow Katie Williams:@Lifeofkatiewilliams on Instagram Bub2Sleep For more information on safe sleep practices for newborns, visit Red Nose Australia |