For Sleep Awareness Month, an Island Health Public Health Nurse is sharing the top tips she gives families for creating safe sleep environments for their babies. Registered Nurse Elizabeth Bryant is sharing the advice she offers to parents and caregivers through free perinatal programs like Right From the Start. Bryant has 12 years of experience working with infants and young children and currently supports families through the Nanaimo Public Health Unit.
Separate sleeping surface for baby
Supporting a healthy infancy includes ensuring the most appropriate sleep environment, position and surface every time baby sleeps.
“The safest sleep time for infants is when they are put to sleep on their backs on a separate, uncluttered and firm sleeping surface that is in the same room as you,” Bryant says.
Bryant recommends the use of a baby bed for safe infant sleep which families can acquire at no cost through Island Health’s Public Health program. The bed is a Health Canada approved bassinet constructed of heavy cardboard with a mattress insert, creating a safe place for babies to sleep. The beds can be used until babies are up to five months old, or until they begin to roll.
Babies don’t know day from night
Bryant says, “Many parents I talk to are surprised to learn that a baby’s circadian rhythm isn’t really established until about four to five months of age. So babies don’t know that the difference between day and night.”
Creating a simple, consistent bedtime routine can provide a transition between awake time and sleep time, cueing a baby’s brain that sleep is coming. A routine could include activities such as a bath, feed, dimmed lights, white noise, and parting words.
Get support
Public Health Nurses are available to help support feeding, routines, mental health, and problem solving with pregnant people and new parents. All pregnant people are encouraged to register for the free Right From the Start program to meet a Public Health Nurse.
Register for Right From the Start early in pregnancy.
Sign up for free health tips by text, timed to your child’s age.
Receive a free baby bed
Perinatal Services BC Safer Sleep course
Start Here for additional pregnancy resources.