American Academy of Pediatrics updates sleep guidelines to reduce SIDS risk

Parents have many things to worry about in taking care of a new baby. Doctors say it’s important for them to not lose focus overnight.

Many are aware of the need for babies to sleep on their backs, specifically on a flat surface, without any kind of soft bedding.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, approximately 3,500 infants die from sleep-related deaths in the United States.

New guidelines include quite a few changes, such as not using car seats, strollers, swings or infant carriers for routine sleep.

Parents are encouraged to sleep in the same room, but not in the same bed as their baby. That’s preferable for the first six months.

They say be careful of devices that claim to reduce the risk of sleep-related deaths.

“You get a lot of false positive alarms with those, they’re not necessarily all accurate and I think if you have a device like that, it might make you a little laxed on following the guidelines and making sure that your baby is in that safe space to sleep,” said Dr. Gina Robinson, with Cleveland Clinic Children.

Of course, if you have any concerns about new sleep guidelines, it’s important to talk with your child’s pediatrician.