Preparing for baby can be an exciting time for expecting parents, grandparents, family, and friends. Let’s face it though, the list of things to purchase can get overwhelming. Thankfully, people love to shop for baby and shower new parents with gifts. There are some important things to consider when making your registry or shopping for products, especially when shopping for products associated with safe sleep.
First and foremost, let’s review the American Academy of Pediatrics safety standards for safe sleep:

• Always place your baby on their back to sleep
• Use a firm sleep surface like a safety approved mattress covered by a tight-fitting sheet for every nap & bedtime
• Keep Loose bedding, stuffed animals, and toys out of your baby’s sleep area
• Do not allow smoking around your baby
• Keep your baby’s sleep area close but separate from where you and others sleep
• Provide a clean, dry pacifier at sleep time (do not attach a string or attachment of any kind)
• Dress your baby in lightweight sleep clothing with a sleep sack or wearable blanket, so as not to overheat the baby as they sleep
• Avoid products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS or other sleep-related infant deaths
• Do not use home monitors to reduce the risk of SIDS or other sleep-related infant deaths
• Breastfeed your baby to decrease the risk of SIDS

Now that you know how to keep your baby safe while they sleep, let’s translate that into reality. Time to go shopping! There are so many options when buying baby equipment. It is important to ensure that you always purchase the safest products, whether you’re buying new or second-hand. Shopping for used equipment can save a ton of money. You can find some like-new items at consignment shops or Marketplace for a fraction of the new cost. When buying a crib or bassinet for your baby, the #1 rule to follow is simple. If the product is not labeled as “bassinet”, “crib”, or “play yard”, it does not meet the safety standard requirements and is not safe to let your baby sleep in. If you are mindful of this rule, you should be able to find a safe environment for your baby to sleep in regardless of whether it is new or used.
Whether you are shopping online, in a store, borrowing items from a friend, or purchasing second-hand, always refer to the safe sleep recommendations when considering your choices. The Safe Sleep for Babies Act was recently signed into law and has banned all crib bumpers and inclined sleepers for infants because of their risk of causing sleep-related deaths. One popular type of inclined sleeper is the rock ‘n play. While this product can no longer be sold as new, it doesn’t mean that they can’t be found in people’s homes or for sale second-hand. If ever in doubt, you can look up products on Consumer Reports to see if the item in question is considered safe for sleep. You can also join the Safe Infant Sleep- Evidence Based Support Group on Facebook. This group contains a wealth of information and support for anyone providing safe sleep for an infant and has over 160K members. Please remain vigilant when making preparations at home or with those who may be caring for your baby. A few other products and practices to avoid:

• Don’t buy or borrow inclined sleepers for your baby
• Don’t allow your baby to sleep in an inclined sleeper or product i.e. Swing, rocker or bouncy seat
• Don’t allow your baby to sleep in a car seat or swing for long periods of time. Move them to a safe environment as soon as possible if they have fallen asleep
• Don’t allow your daycare facility or child care provider to use unsafe sleep products for your baby (or anyone else’s, for that matter)
• Don’t use weighted blankets or sleep sacks for your baby. The weight can suppress their breathing
• Don’t use a sleep positioner in the crib. Baby does not need to be positioned on their side or elevated
• Don’t use a drop-side crib. These have been banned
• Don’t use a crib tent to keep your baby from climbing out. This is a strangulation hazard
• Don’t ever sleep in bed with your baby! No one ever plans to roll onto their baby. It is always an accident and co-sleeping will put your baby at risk. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, right?

Now you can be confident that your baby is safe while they sleep, and that should make for a much better night’s sleep for you. And if you have ever had a baby at home, you know that a good night’s sleep is something dreams are made of. Good night!