The 2 A.M. Wake-Up Call: A Parent’s Guide to Infant Sleep and Safety by Dominique Johnson

October is a time to remember the infants who have died while sleeping. Risk-reduction approaches have continued to be the cornerstone of safe sleep messaging. Despite parental knowledge of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ safe sleep recommendations, approximately 3,400 infants die annually from sudden unexpected infant death (SUID).

In the first 6 months, infants may spend up to 17-18 hours a day sleeping. Infant sleep cycles can vary, with some infants waking every 1 to 4 hours. Sleep is essential for physical growth, neurological development, emotional health, immunity, and learning. Caring for an infant overnight can be both rewarding and challenging. As a parent, you may struggle with balancing your own need for sleep while attempting to implement the AAP recommendations for safe sleep, which recommend that infants room-share with their parents, sleep in their own cribs, lie on their backs, and use a firm mattress.

Between midnight and 7:00 a.m., fatigue and repeated waking may create circumstances in which maintaining safe sleep practices becomes more challenging. Many parents struggle with balancing their infant’s desire for skin-to-skin contact or closeness in the same sleeping space with the AAP recommendations for safe sleep. Parents often express that bed-sharing with an infant helps to reduce parental anxiety and allows the infant to be close. However, there is no safe way to bed-share with an infant. While bed-sharing may be tempting, room-sharing has been found to reduce the risk of SUID by at least 50%.

Here are some tips for navigating the early morning hours:

1. Prepare your infant’s sleep space before bedtime.

2. Follow the American Academy of Pediatrics’ safe sleep guidelines.

   a. Remember that infants should sleep alone, in their own crib, with a firm mattress.

3. Recognize the signs of exhaustion in both the infant and parent.

4. Plan for nighttime feedings.

5. Identify a support person who can help you.

6. Room-share without bed-sharing.

   

SUID remains the leading cause of death for infants in the first year of life. The sleep environment and location are often at the center of safe sleep strategies to improve safety and health outcomes for infants. Developing a plan of action for navigating the night and early morning hours is critical to the safety and health of infants in the first year of life.

Safe sleep begins with preparation, support, and a plan for navigating the challenging overnight hours and caring for yourself. Practicing safe sleep recommendations is essential for the protection of your infant. While we recognize this is challenging, nothing is more important than the health and safety of your baby.