Moving the Baby to His Own Room

Some pediatricians say babies should sleep in the parent’s room (not in their bed though) until the baby is six months old, because this facilitates that night time job of breastfeeding and because it can prevent sudden death. However the only people that can decide this are the parents themselves. If the parents are anxious and become altered with any noise and do not sleep well, it may be convenient they move the baby into his or her own room a few months before.

The baby will need to sleep in his or her own crib in his or her room. No matter what type of bedding you have chosen (small, transportable etc) you must keep the following things in mind:

• The separation of the bars should be less then 15 centimeters so that the baby’s head does not go through them.

• The height of the bars should be of 50 centimeters approximately.

• Verify that the point on the crib does not have any lead, because this is a toxic product that can poison the baby.

• The mattress should be firm and washable. Place it in the crib without the plastic wrapping, but covered with a mattress protector well placed onto the mattress.

• If the crib has different positions, use the highest one, but as the baby starts to sit up or stands in the crib you will need to lower the height of the mattress so the baby does not fall.

• Check the crib periodically to make sure it does not have any sharp edges, nails or splinters.

• If you hang a mobile on the crib, make sure that it is well placed and at a height the baby cannot reach.

• Do not place the baby’s crib near a window, an air current or a shelf.

If the baby feels insecure in his or her new room, try moving things in parts. In other words, place the baby in his or her new crib for a little while in the morning and tell the baby what it is you are doing. You can also use the same bed you used for him or her while the baby slept in your room in his new room, and this will help the baby get used to the new room little by little.

It is not recommendable for a baby to use a pillow as the baby could asphyxiate.

Baby Sleeping Positions
Pediatricians are in agreement with placing the baby on his or her side at sleep times, but alternate from side to side. The baby should never sleep face down, with a pillow or against the poles of the crib, since this increases the risk of asphyxia and sudden death. During the day while the baby is awake, you can lay the baby face up, watching carefully just in case the baby chokes or regurgitates. This position will help the baby to strengthen the neck and back muscles will improve his and her coordination.