Did you know that October is National SIDS Awareness Month? SIDS has to be one of the scariest things that is always on the back of every parents mind. There are a few simple steps that parents and caretakers of newborn infants can take to reduce the danger of SIDS:
- Always laying your baby to sleep face up. Side and tummy positions are not safe; check with your doctor if your baby has breathing problems.
- Don’t smoke while pregnant and never smoke near your infant. While pregnant or considering pregnancy do not smoke. Never let others smoke near your baby. Smoking is a major risk factor for SIDS.
- Don’t let your baby get too hot. Overheating is a leading risk factor for SIDS. Dress your baby in as much or as little as you would wear. If your baby is sweating, has damp hair, or a heat rash, he or she may be too hot. Room fans have been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. Consider using a wearable blanket or other type of sleeper instead of a blanket.
- Lay your baby to sleep in an approved crib, on a firm mattress. Do not let the baby sleep on soft things, like a couch, pillow, sheepskin, foam pad, or waterbed. Remove all loose bedding, stuffed animals, and pillows from crib. Crib bumpers are not recommended and can be hazardous.
- Create a healthy lifestyle for you and your baby. When pregnant, see your doctor often and do not use drugs or alcohol. Talk with your doctor about changes in your baby and how your baby acts.
- If possible, breast feed your baby. Breast feeding has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS.
- Offer your baby a pacifier at all sleep times. Pacifiers have been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS
- Put your baby on his or her tummy to play when your baby is awake and supervised. Make sure someone is always watching. “Tummy Time” is good for your baby because it makes neck and shoulder muscles stronger.
- Don’t share sleep surfaces. Adult beds, couches, and chairs are not safe for infant sleep and increase the risk of SIDS, suffocation and accidental infant death. After breast feeding put your baby back in his or her crib.
aden+anais is one company that wants to help protect your little bundle of joy from SIDS. They have the most amazing Sleep Bags ever! This is based on my experience with them. We used them all the time when little Luke was a newborn. The Sleep Bags are the perfect alternative to keeping a loose blanket in the crib. Here is Luke when he was a couple months old in one of his aden+anais Sleep Bags.
The aden+anais sleeping bag that Luke is wearing is the Classic Sleeping Bag. The Classic Sleeping Bag offers a single layer of 100% cotton muslin and was perfect for him to wear over a long sleeve onesie or his baby gown.
Now let’s fast forward a few months. Luke just turned 11 months yesterday and obviously is a little big for the Sleeping Bags, but the one thing that he has always had to have is a blanket while he is going to sleep. I have always rocked him to sleep but a blankie has always been needed while he takes his bottle. I think it’s because he was breastfed at first and I would use a blanket then.
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| Luke at 11 months with his Bamboo Muslin Blanket |
We just recently received the aden+anais Bamboo Muslin Blankets and all I can say is WOW! Seriously, we have used muslin blankets since he was little (these are his preferred blanket while taking a bottle while I rock him), but I had yet to feel a blanket as soft as the aden+anais Bamboo Muslin Blanket. Even my four year old asked if he could have one to use because they are so soft! Might sound crazy but these blankets are a fantastic size and yes, my four year old could use it to cover up with. Here is is holding it up to show just how big it really is.
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| My 4 1/2 year old holding the blanket up to show the size |
About the Bamboo Muslin Blanket:
The lightweight muslin permits air to circulate around the baby’s body, while still providing comfort and warmth without the worry that the baby may overheat in moderate weather. It is gentle on baby’s skin and durable for everyday use. The more you wash aden + anais wraps, the softer they get. aden + anais wraps are extra large, measuring 47” x 47”, so that new and seasoned parents alike can swaddle babies of all sizes with ease. Traditionally used for swaddling, these wraps can also be used as burp cloths, nursing and stroller covers, portable crib sheets, stroller and car seat liners, tummy time blankets, change table covers, and more.
Would I recommend the aden+anais Bamboo Muslin Blankets to family and friends? Yes I most certainly would and I have a feeling that I will be purchasing a few for Mr. Luke very soon!
Thank you to everyone that took time to enter the giveaway. The winner was chosen using random.org and has been emailed.
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One winner will be chosen ! I will be using a random number generator to select the winner. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on Nov. 2, 2011. If the prize is not claimed in 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.Contest open to U.S. residents only.The winner will be announced in this post(and emailed)
