Having a sick little one can be a challenging time for the family. Sick babies tend to have a harder time sleeping and staying asleep. This makes it an easy time for caregivers to ease up on their safe sleep plan, however it is even more important that safe sleep practices happen when baby is sick. Safe sleep should be followed even when babies have symptoms like congestion, runny nose, coughing or poor appetite.
Safe sleep is creating an environment where a baby under the age of 1 year sleeps the safest. This includes:
- Nothing in the crib but baby. No pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, or crib bumpers.
- Babies should always be put down on their backs to sleep – especially when sick with congestion.
- Babies should sleep in a crib or pack n play. It is not safe to sleep on a couch, armchair or in an adult bed with a baby under the age one 1.
Here are some FAQs about safe sleep when babies are sick:
Should I sleep with my sick baby so I can keep an eye on there?
Move baby’s crib to your bedroom so you can easily check on them. Or grab a mat or mattress and you could sleep on the floor next to their crib. Baby stays safe in their crib and caregiver can stay close by.
Tip from: Baby Sleep and Sick Season
What is the best sleeping position for a congested baby?
Caregivers often ask if they should allow their congested babies to sleep in an elevated position to help them breathe better. This is NOT recommended. Swings, car seats (outside of the car), strollers, and sleep positioners are never intended for unsupervised sleep.
What about elevating the head of the crib?
Elevating the head of the crib is also NOT recommended.
The CPSC says that sleep products that incline more than 10 degrees are not safe. Soft and plush sleep surfaces are also dangerous. Inclined sleepers position babies to sleep at a 30-degree angle. Infants placed in these products may fall asleep in a chin-to-chest position, which can restrict their airway. They can also roll out of the devices and become trapped under them. Inclined sleepers have been tied to more than 100 deaths.
Tips for when baby is sick
- Babies want to be held more when they are sick. If you hold baby at night, make sure you are not falling asleep on a couch, armchair or somewhere unsafe.
- Try a cool mist humidifier in baby’s room and/or saline nose spray to help.
The AAP has a great video series on provider and patient conversations when it comes to infant safe sleep practices, including when baby is sick.
https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/safe-sleep/provider-and-patient[1]conversations-for-safe-sleep/?
10 Tips for Safe Sleep
Below are 10 tips to consider when making your safe sleep plan. Remember, safe sleep for every sleep, even naps!
- Always put baby on their back to sleep.
- Drugs and alcohol increase risk of unsafe sleep deaths. Don’t fall asleep with baby if you have either in your system.
- Be aware of exhaustion! Don’t fall asleep with baby in your arms, in a chair, or in bed.
- Sleeping in a swing or car carrier? Always move baby to a crib.
- No blankets, stuffed animals or toys!
- Babies overheat easily. No head coverings while they are sleeping.
- Always use a fitted crib sheet.
- Move crib or pack-n-play to your room so baby can be with you but not in bed with you.
- When feeding baby, set a reminder/alarm on your phone for every few minutes to keep you from falling asleep.
- Make sure everyone caring for your baby (grandparents, babysitters, older siblings) knows about safe sleep.
Safe Sleep Resources:
Safe Sleep Academy: https://safesleepacademy.org/safe-sleep-space/
Inclined Sleeping Position Risks: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002192902030422X
