Many parents are shocked to learn that they are only supposed to put baby to sleep on his back. This comes as a surprise also to grandparents who were recommended by their pediatricians to put baby to sleep on his stomach. Things have changed a lot over the past few decades and pediatricians now know that by putting baby to sleep on his back the risk of SIDS goes down 10 to 15 times. That’s a very large reduction in the rate of SIDS and certainly worth placing baby on his back to sleep. Some parents have questions, though, about how back sleeping could harm their baby. Luckily, there are no real dangers with putting baby to sleep on his back and certainly very little risk of aspirating stomach contents. In fact, several studies have shown that babies in other countries that have more experience with back sleeping have not found babies to have a higher risk of aspirating vomit or choking.

There have been some studies that show babies who sleep on their backs have a higher incidence of flat had and cradle cap, but those are certainly not risks that are worth avoiding the back sleep position.

Keep in mind that baby only has to be on his back to sleep. During the day “tummy time” is important and it will allow your baby to develop neck muscles, develop motor skills, and let baby see what’s around him. Soon your baby will be able to push and pull himself and will really enjoy the “tummy time.”

Being a parent is filled with worry and concern. However, when you know you are doing the very best you can for your baby you will be able to sit back and relax and enjoy the ups and downs of parenthood.

Regardless of whether you are going on a long car ride, plane ride, or just want some sleep at night, it’s not a good idea to give your infant Benadryl to make your job easier. Sure, it is tempting because nobody wants to be on a crowded plane, train, or automobile with a potentially upset infant. However, giving your baby Benadryl just for the purpose of sleep is dangerous and it might not even work. For some babies, Benadryl makes them hyper and more energetic.

Parents should keep in mind that the American Academy of Pediatrics advises against giving infants and children younger than two any kind of cough or cold medication. The risk of side effects that could be life threatening is too high and babies that are given antihistamines should only be done after receiving a diagnosis from a doctor regarding the allergies and the correct treatment.

Beyond the fact that Benadryl could have life threatening side effects for your infant, it could also keep your baby from sleeping, which is the complete opposite of what was initially intended. Parents should not get confused that while Benadryl can make adults groggy and sleepy that it might not have the same affect on infants, toddlers, and kids.

It’s tempting to give your child a sleep inducing drug when you are so tired you can’t even see straight. However, try to put things in perspective and realize that as much as you want your child to sleep you don’t want to risk her life to do so. When you think about it this way, you will put the Benadryl bottle away.

Try scheduling your trip during baby’s regular nap time and you just might find that baby will sleep soundly anyway, especially if he is in your arms.

There are so many things that baby has to go through is first year of life that it can make anyone a little bit fussy. However, babies are generally happy go lucky until they begin teething. There are many signs of teething and you should begin looking out for them when your infant is between three and 12 months old. There are typical signs parents know about including biting, drooling, crankiness, night waking, and sensitive gums. Other signs parents are not as aware of include avoiding food, a rash, runny nose, and just a general overall cranky baby.

Obviously, if your baby is teething and cranky it’s very possible that she won’t get good sleep. And, when baby doesn’t get good sleep it’s almost always the case that Mommy doesn’t either. The issue with teething is that during the day babies are usually busy and preoccupied enough that they don’t really feel the pain. However, at night, when they are asleep the pain can interfere with their sleep.

The best way to tell if an infant is teething is to check out the gums. Gums that are bulging, red, and irritated are most likely that way because teeth are trying to break through. Similarly, the gums may look bruised or even have a whitish streak on them. Additionally, since baby is drooling significantly and swallowing a lot of this drool it’s likely that your infant will have some runny bowel movements. If blood or mucus is present then you should rule out teething as the cause and make an immediate appointment with your pediatrician.

It is also possible that your infant will have a very low grade fever while cutting teeth. If your baby has a temperature that is more than a degree or so higher than normal you should definitely call your pediatrician because this could be a sign of infection. Keep in mind, too, that babies may bleed from their gums to some degree while they are teething. This is completely normal and something to be expected.

Doctors and researchers have determined that stomach sleeping increases an infant’s risk of dying from SIDS. That is why the “Back to Sleep” campaign was implemented and since that time the rates of SIDS have declined. That is important for parents to consider because the risk of SIDS is real and eliminating all risk factors where possible is necessary. Many babies prefer to sleep on their stomachs and are actually more comfortable doing so. However, it is more important for the baby to be as safe as possible than as comfortable as possible. Allowing the baby to sleep on his stomach is essentially putting him at risk for SIDS.

All caregivers of infants should be made aware of the back to sleep campaign and religiously ensure that the infant is put to sleep on his back. As babies grow they eventually can turn themselves over. Some parents put their baby to sleep on his back to wake up and find baby on his stomach. This is normal and parents should respond by turning baby over back on his back.

A firm mattress covered only by a sheet is recommended. Babies should not be put to sleep with pillows, blankets, toys, or anything that could be a breathing hazard. Babies who do not feel comfortable sleeping on their backs should be swaddled tightly to provide a sense of security that allows them to sleep peacefully.

Parents should educate themselves on the risk factors of SIDS and learn how they can reduce risk factors. Some risk factors like being male or born in the winter cannot be reduced, however risk factors like maternal smoking, drug use, overheating, stomach sleeping, and the like can all be avoided. Caring for baby is important and eliminating risk factors for SIDS should be taken very carefully.