New Moms: Advice From a Doula on a Safe First Night of Sleep

After giving birth to your bundle of joy and bringing them home, the real work begins. Babies mostly eat, sleep and go to the bathroom for the first few weeks. Those first days and weeks are often the hardest, as you are adjusting to this new way of life. One of the things that may be the most nerve-wracking is ensuring your baby has consistent, quality and safe sleep practices.

Headlines about SIDS or sleep-related infant deaths may make parent’s nervous about those first few nights. It can only be worse for those mothers struggling with postpartum anxiety or postpartum depression. Social impact strategist and doula Shyah Dickerson spoke with 21Ninety about safe sleep practices that will allow parents to rest easy and focus on the baby and themselves.

Select Baby-Safe Cribs

When selecting a crib, it’s best to only shop reputable brands. Ensure whatever crib you choose has safety certifications. If you are using a crib that has been passed down through family, Dickerson recommended checking for certifications. Some older cribs may not be up-to-date on these standards or in compliance.

“Safety is always the primary focus when selecting new baby items,” Dickerson said.

Cribs also will include instructions to ensure that safety standards are applied when putting the crib together. Always read reviews from families that have actually used the crib. Talk to family and friends about their crib experiences for added peace of mind.

Remove Loose In or On Sleep Area

Dickerson’s advice for her clients and other new moms on safe baby sleeping is to keep decorations, pillows and accessories out of the crib.

To further ensure sleep safety, she also encouraged parents to check for any missing, loose or ill-fitting screws or brackets on the crib. You want to ensure that the baby cannot fit through the slats on the cribs. Try to avoid drop-down sides.

Select a Quality Mattress

When selecting a mattress and sheets, opt for a firm mattress and a snug-fitted bottom sheet over the crib mattress. Use eco-friendly and non-toxic materials. Dickerson recommended purchasing whatever mattress the crib manufacturer recommends.

“If I went with a Pottery Barn crib, for instance, I would purchase the mattress from there as well in the event that it does not come with the crib,” she explained.

For extra safety and to ensure your baby gets a good night’s rest, test out Dickerson’s two-finger mattress rule.

“Definitely get a snug-fitting mattress with no space for a baby to fit in between the crevices,” Dickerson said. “Two fingers should not be able to fit between the crib frame and the mattress.”

Create Ideal Sleep Conditions

You don’t want your baby’s room to be too hot nor too cold. Dickerson recommended for new parents to keep the baby’s room temperature cool. Set the thermostat anywhere from  68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.Every family will inevitably have to consider where the baby will sleep. While some parents opt for cribs inside a nursery, others may go for a bassinet to keep the baby close to their parent’s bed. Be sure to set the crib away from windows, heaters, curtains, or any other hazards. This will also protect the baby from any sudden changes in environment, like outside noise levels, natural light, or cold or hot airways.

“Keep a baby monitor on hand so you can always peek in and watch your baby as they sleep, especially during the first days of having a new baby home,” Dickerson said.

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