Sleeping bags for Safe Sleep
When considering the purchase of a sleeping bag for your baby, there may be many reasons to buy one that you had not realised before, they are an investment into your childs sleep and safety. The following details is from the Rednose website:
Benefits of using a safe baby sleeping bag
Research has shown that among the benefits of using a safe baby sleeping bag (a safe baby sleeping bag has fitted neck and armholes and no hood and is the correct size for baby) are:
- they reduce the risk of bedclothes covering baby’s face
- they delay baby rolling onto the tummy during sleep until baby’s past the age of peak risk of SUDI
- they will keep baby’s temperature at a more constant level
A safe baby sleeping bag is constructed in such a way that the baby cannot slip inside the bag and become completely covered. The sleeping bag should be the correct size for the baby with a fitted neck, armholes (or sleeves) and no hood.
When using a sleeping bag, ensure that baby is dressed according to the room temperature. In cool climates, dress baby in layers of clothing within the sleeping bag. If additional warmth is needed, use a single, lightweight blanket over the sleeping bag, ensuring baby’s feet are at the end of the mattress and the blanket can only reach as far as baby’s chest and is tucked in firmly so it cannot ride up and cover baby’s head during sleep.
Please be aware that Sleeping bags are a high fire danger and:
• Always buy correct fitting nightwear for your child. Nightwear that is one or more sizes too big for your child may increase the risk of the garment’s flammability.
• Nightwear that is snug fitting is less likely to catch fire than loose-fitting nightwear.
• Always keep children at least one metre away from heaters and other sources of heat.
• Keep children away from naked flames such as candles, fireplaces and gas stoves.
• Where possible, use fire guards or screens to shield children from all sources of naked flame and other heat sources such as radiators or gas heaters.