Sleep

The following are safe sleep practices help to lower the risk of sleep-related infant death:

• Always place your baby on their back for naps and at night.
• Put your baby to sleep alone in their crib, cradle, or bassinet.
• Make sure their crib, cradle, or bassinet is empty of toys, loose bedding, pillows, and bumper pads.
• Use a firm crib, cradle, or bassinet mattress with only a tight-fitting sheet.
• Use a crib, cradle, or bassinet that meets Canadian safety regulations.
• Make sure your baby's face is not covered.
• Keep your baby next to your bed for the first six months.
• Dress your baby so that they are comfortable but do not overheat.
  • Overheating is a risk factor for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). 
  • Babies are safest in simple, fitted sleepwear, like a sleeper.
• Make sure the room is not too hot (ideally between 16-200C).
• Provide a smoke-free environment before and after your baby is born.
• Breastfeed your baby.
• Make sure that anyone who cares for your baby is aware of this information.

For more information, check out these factsheets from Health Canada:

• Setting up a safe nursery
• Dressing your baby for sleep
• Safe sleep on the go
• Cribs, cradles and bassinets

If you decide to share a bed with your child, follow these simple rules:

• Keep your baby on his back, on a flat firm surface away from pillows, duvet or thick blankets.
• Make sure your baby cannot fall out of bed or become trapped between the mattress and wall.
• Don’t leave your baby alone in the bed, as even very young babies can move into a dangerous position.
• Keep your room smoke-free.  Baby should not sleep with a smoker.
• Sleep in the C-position (“cuddle curl”), with the infant's head across from the adult's breast, adult's legs and arm(s) curled around the infant, infant on their back, away from the pillow, is the optimal safe sleeping position 

Never sleep with your baby if:

• Your baby was born premature (less than 37 weeks gestation) or with low birth weight (less than 2,500 g)
• You have been drinking any alcohol or taking drugs that may cause drowsiness (legal or illegal).
• You are in an armchair, a sofa, a recliner or any surface that is not flat and firm.

The following is provided for information only and is not an endorsement by Ottawa Public Health of any particular product or service.

Baby boxes originated in Finland in 1938 and were distributed by the Finnish government to expectant parents. The box is filled with clothes and baby items and the box itself is used as a sleep space for the baby's first months.

Health Canada advises that baby boxes intended for sleep are not approved, are not subject to pre-market approval, and must meet federal regulatory requirements. Please refer to Health Canada's website for additional information on baby boxes and on applicable regulations and laws.   

Ottawa Public Health reminds you that the safest place for your baby to sleep is on his or her back, in a crib, cradle or bassinet that meets all applicable laws and regulation. However, when used carefully baby boxes can provide a safer alternative to placing a baby on an unsafe sleep surface, such as a couch, adult bed with loose bedding.   

Health Canada also reminds you to keep the following in mind:

• Choose a baby box which complies with the Cribs, Cradles and Bassinets Regulations (CCBR) and is designed for infant sleep. To know if a product is compliant with the CCBR, the manufacturer of the baby box needs to contacted directly.
• Ensure the box is placed on a stable surface and the instructions are followed.
• Regularly check the condition of the box, ensuring that leaks or spills have not deteriorated the sides or bottom of the box.
• Follow safe sleep key messages, such as placing the box close to the parent/caregiver's bed, no additional bedding or stuffed toys added to the box, with the baby placed in the box alone and on their back.

Information adapted from: Public Health Agency of Canada. Information Note to Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) and Community Action Program for Children (CAPC) Sites, Subject: Baby Boxes. Ottawa, January 2017.

Your newborn's sleep pattern may not be regular because their brain is not yet mature. They have different sleep patterns than adults. It is usually not until 6 months of age that they are able to sleep 6 hours straight.

Every child is different.

It is important for you to have the same routine with your baby or toddler before bed. This routine may be hard to establish at first but will get easier as your child grows.

For more information on sleep, visit the Canadian Paediatric Society and the Centre of Excellence.

Dealing with your child's lack of sleep can affect your own sleep. It can be physically and emotionally hard on you. During these hard times it is important to stay calm and remember to never shake a baby or toddler.

Also, if you are not feeling like yourself or you are worrying your partner, it is important to get help. Some women experience postpartum blues or postpartum depression.

A good night's sleep:

• Can reduce problems with behaviour
• Can help your child learn
• Can improve your child's mental health
• Can reduce the risk of obesity
• Contributes to optimal growth and development

The amount of sleep your child needs changes as they get older. Remember, each child is different

According to the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth:

Your child may not be getting enough sleep if they:

• Have a hard time waking up in the morning
• Act moody and often have meltdowns
• Have dark circles under their eyes
• Show signs of poor focus or memory
• Complain of being tired or not getting enough sleep

• Encourage regular exercise and outdoor activities
• Stick to a healthy diet
• Offer a healthy snack a half hour before bedtime
• Create a quiet, predictable and short - 30 minutes - bedtime routine
• Avoid TV, other electronics and stimulating activities for at least one hour before bed
• Ensure a quiet dark environment for sleep
• Avoid using bedtime as a punishment
• Help your child to have a consisten bedtime and wake-up time, even on weekends.

Did you know?

• Poor sleep can have a negative effect on how your child's brain develops
• Poor sleep can increase your child's risk of accidental injury
• Electronics before bedtime can cause stress to the body, making it hard for your child to fall asleep

Learn more about the following bedtime challenges:

• bed-wetting
• night terrors
• frequent waking
• sleep walking