•
For
a
slightly
older
infant
or
toddler,
a
“lovey”,
a
special
blanket
or
stuffed
animal,
that
has
a
familiar
smell
can
help
baby
feel
secure
and
cozy
in
bed.
Make
sure
that
whatever
you
choose
is
safe
for
infants
with
no
small
parts
that
can
fall
off
and
become
choking
hazards.
Also,
follow
all
the
guidelines
for
preventing
SIDS
and
avoid
any
stuffed
animal
that
can
cover
a
young
child’s
face.
Talk
to
your
pediatrician
for
more
suggestions
on
a
lovey.
Our
advice—a
lovey
can
be
worth
it’s
weight
in
gold,
so
make
sure
you
buy
a
stunt
double
so
that
you
can
wash
the
lovey
and
have
a
replacement
in
case
one
gets
lost.
•
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents consider using a
pacifier
at
nap
time
and
bedtime
during
the
first
year
because
pacifier
use
during
sleep
is
associated
with
a
reduced
risk
of
SIDS.
This
is
a
decision
that’s
up
to
you.
A
pacifier
can
help
an
infant
settle
down
to
sleep,
but
if
you
introduce
this
sleep
association
now,
you
will
eventually
have
to
break
your
toddler
of
this
sleep
association.
•
Avoid
offering food or drink to your child while he or she is going to sleep. This
can eventually lead to cavities in your child’s teeth. Also, eating when not
hungry
(just
to
help
to
fall
asleep)
is
an
unhealthy
habit,
and
perhaps
one
reason
poor
sleep
habits
have
been
linked
to
childhood
obesity.
•
Avoid
sleep associations with being held or rocked to sleep, driving around in
the car, or sleeping in a swing. None of these sleep associations are sustainable
(unless
you’re
planning
on
sending
your
child
on
a
long
space
mission)
and
all
are
outside
your
child’s
control.
•
Avoid
being present in the same room as your child as he or she falls asleep
unless you plan on being present
all the time
he or she is asleep for a long time
(several
years).
Remember—your
child
will
expect
to
find
everything
the
same
as
when
he
or
she
dozed
off
every time
they wake during their sleep cycle.
•
ALWAYS PUT YOUR CHILD TO SLEEP ON THEIR BACK!
Putting a child to
sleep on their side or stomach increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome
or
SIDS.
See
the
Appendix
for
other
SIDS
prevention
tips
from
the
American
Academy
of
Pediatrics.
