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Cloudy. A few showers beginning near noon. Wind northwest 20 km/h becoming north 40 gusting to 60 this afternoon. Temperature falling to 9 this afternoon. UV index 3 or moderate.

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Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Program

» Health Information » Infant Health » Little Sleepers Need Room to Breathe

Little Sleepers Need Room to Breathe

This page was reviewed or revised on Friday, June 04, 2010 3:07 PM

PDF of Promotional Poster: Little Sleepers Need Room to Breathe

Give your little sleepers room to breathe while they slumber to prevent suffocation, the number one cause of unexplained death in children under the age of one.

Here are some ways to give your baby more room to breathe:

  • Put baby “back to bed”. A baby that sleeps on his or her back has a decreased risk of suffocation.
  • Ensure the crib meets current government safety standards. Check the label on the frame, especially if using a second-hand crib.
  • Mattress should be firm and fit tightly against all four sides so that there is no room for the mattress to sag.
  • Remove extra items in the crib that take up space and don’t give baby enough room to breathe. Keep it simple – ensure cribs are free of comforters, pillows and stuffed toys.
  • Health Canada does not recommend the use of bumper pads. Bumper pads are not safety devices and incorrect use can pose an entanglement, entrapment and strangulation hazard to infants when not used correctly.
  • Second-hand smoke is also a risk factor for suffocation in babies. Make your home smoke-free to ensure your child is not exposed to any smoke.
     

Related Links:

Safe Sleep Habits
www.lambtonhealth.on.ca/infant/safe_sleep_habits.asp

Crib Safety Tips (PDF)
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/alt_formats/hecs-sesc/pdf/pubs/cons/cribs-lits_enfants-eng.pdf

Crib Safety Booklet (PDF)
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/alt_formats/hecs-sesc/pdf/pubs/cons/crib-lits/crib_safety-securite_lits_e.pdf

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