Sharing stories of safe sleep for babies

Posted on April 19, 2018

A sleeping baby is, in my opinion, one of the most precious and peaceful sights in the world. I love watching over my granddaughter while she sleeps. Not only does she radiate peace and innocence, it takes me back to the days when I was a new Mum and I watched over my own boys sleeping peacefully.

What is a safe sleep environment?

In my September 2017 blog I shared lots of facts and advice about safe sleep, baby sleeping bags and sleep environments. This time I thought it might be nice to share some more personal stories. I’ve asked my friend Bec, who has an 18 month old daughter, to share her experience becoming confident with safe baby sleep techniques.

Bec’s story

Ivy was born in September so it was still quite cold here in Canberra. My husband and I were on a steep learning curve about how many layers she needed, how to keep the room warm enough and how to make sure she was comfortable. When she was very tiny, we used to swaddle her in soft muslin wraps – my husband had more of a knack for it than I did! And we were so deeply in love we held her almost all the time, asleep or awake. So she was always warm and cosy with us. We were careful to alternate who had her, so we wouldn’t fall asleep with her on us, because we knew that could be dangerous. For a few weeks we had her bassinet out with us in the loungeroom, so we could watch her while she slept.

When she got a bit bigger and was able to wriggle her arms out of her swaddle, we started using sleeping bags. We liked the ones that contained her arms, because they were warmer and she couldn’t fling her arms around in the night and wake herself up. As she grew, we graduated to one arm out, and then both.

At 18 months she still sleeps in a sleeping bag, and she has a little bunny who lives in the cot for when she needs extra comfort. I still like to sneak into her room and peek at her while she sleeps. She looks so peaceful and precious. I’m so thankful there is lots of information around now about how to keep her (and my next little one) safe.

What else helps create a safe sleep environment?

There are a few things I always do to make sure my granddaughters are sleeping safely:

I put them in their sleeping bag and then I give them a very restful cuddle in my arms for as long as they need while standing over their cot
When I feel they are relaxed I put them down to sleep, on their backs with their feet at the end of the cot
I don’t smoke in their room (well, I don’t smoke at all so that one is easy!)
After the older one turned two she graduated to having a very lightweight goosedown doona during winter over her mid-weight sleeping bag. If you need to use a doona or blanket, only tuck it in up to their shoulders so their face isn’t covered.

How do I find a good baby sleeping bag?

I just love baby sleeping bags, because they’re the perfect combination of practical and safe (and they look adorable). Because of this Bokbo stocks a range of sleeping bags. I am very selective about what I stock, so you can all sleep easy!

For mums and dads who, like Bec and her husband, want to start with swaddles, I suggest you look at the beautiful organic cotton prints or ultra-soft bamboo jersey swaddles we have in stock.

Trustworthy resources

Sometimes it feels like there is just so much information about how to care for babies and how to keep them safe. I hope I’ve helped a little, and here are some great safe sleep resources if you want to find out more. But I’d also say this – trust your instincts and believe in your ability to be a great parent or caretaker for this baby. People have been raising babies for millions of years – you can do it too!

Sleep tight everyone.