New safe sleep guidelines

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The American academy for paediatrics have just updated their safe sleep guidelines. Now this is really important because there haven't been any updates for six years. I thought i'd share with you some of my key takeaways. So all the information can be found on the American academy of paediatrics website, the sleep related infant deaths 2022 (publications.aap.org).

First off, at the top of their table of recommendations is back to sleep for every sleep. So remember guys, when you put your baby down to sleep in their sleep space always put them on their back for every sleep. So that includes all naps and over night sleeps as well.

Now let's talk about the sleep surface. The 2016 guidelines were to use a firm sleep surface, the 2022 update says use a firm, flat, non-inclined sleep surface. Sleep surfaces with inclines of more than 10 degrees are unsafe for infant sleep.

Also soft bedding, now here's some takeaways:

This is all completely new, it's recommended that weighted blankets, weighted sleepers, weighted swaddles or other weighted objects not to be placed on or near a sleeping infant.

I just wanted to mention that if anyone out there is a little bit anxious, stressed or concerned that these updated from the AAP are a really positive thing - they provide clarification, reassurance, and give you the knowledge that you will be able to confidently provide the very safest sleep environment for your baby.