Being a new parent means learning a lot of new and different things.
But one thing that no one needs to teach you is the instinct to keep your baby safe.
But while you might be tempted to fill your baby's cot with soft toys and cosy covers, your well-intentioned actions could be putting your baby at risk, according to experts.
It turns out that when it comes to a baby’s sleeping environment, less really is more.
And according to the experts, there’s a longer list of things you shouldn’t have in your baby’s cot than things that you should.
Sleep expert Suze Patel, who is the Co-Founder of Nini Baby, has come up with a list of five things your baby shouldn’t sleep with in their cot.
1. Blankets and soft toys
When creating a nursery, we inevitably fall in love with an abundance of adorable toys, soft blankets and other “I can’t possibly not buy it!” essentials. We assume they’ll keep our baby cosy and settled – something we of course want while they’re getting some much-needed rest.
However, Suze says the opposite is actually true. It's safer to remove anything like this from your baby’s cot as they’re ultimately dangerous hazards.
They could easily become tangled up in a blanket for example, which is to be avoided at all costs.
If you’re worried about your baby’s temperature and want to give them something to sleep with, consider a light blanket tucked in just below their shoulders. Their feet can then wriggle freely without them having too much mobility.
Meanwhile, another great idea is a swaddle or a sleeping bag that attaches to them, meaning there’s no risk of it rising above their head. Both are safe and supportive options.
2. Pillows
Pillows aren’t advised to be kept in babies’ cots. They can move around, be suffocation hazards and generally aren’t necessary; babies’ sleep requirements are vastly different to our own, according to Suze.
3. Cot bumpers
Cot bumpers are fabric linings fitted to the inside edges of cots. In years gone by they were staples for new parents, with many assuming they would provide extra protection by stopping your baby from knocking their head against the edges of the crib.
However, cotbumpers have since been found to incite unnecessary risk, simply adding clutter and excess material to your baby’s sleeping area.
Plus, modern cribs aren’t adorned with bars which babies’ arms previously became caught in. Essentially, cot bumpers have become surplus to requirements.
Instead, opt for a crib with soft, supportive sides and mesh inserts. This will provide you with added visibility, whilst you know your baby’s sleeping safely through the night.
4. Unsafe mattresses
When it comes to the things inside your baby’s cot, their mattress is quite possibly the most important thing to get right. After all, it’s the very foundation of their sleep!
All mattresses should comply with necessary safety standards whilst feeling firm enough to support your baby’s sleep. This isn’t something you should overlook; thoroughly research the mattress you’re buying, finding one that’s resilient, breathable and doesn’t leave any gap between them and the crib for baby to get trapped in.’
5. Family members
Co-sleeping is a trend that’s soared in popularity over recent years as countless celebrities have spoken openly about it’s supposed benefits. However, sleeping with your baby can come with risks and lots of experts suggest avoiding this technique altogether.
Again, less is more and babies are best found sleeping in a clear, clutter-free crib. If, however, you’ve decided to give this technique a go, we’d suggest seeking advice from a trained and qualified professional who can assess your personal environment and whether or not this method will best fulfil your needs.
No matter how you put your baby down to sleep, it’s important that you listen to your parental instincts. Also, remember that if you’re in doubt, it’s best to leave it out!’
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