Warning to all parents over common nap-time mistake that can be deadly for your child
Napping is an essential part of being a baby – it supports his physical and mental development.
But doctors have warned parents not to make a common mistake when putting their little ones to sleep.
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If your toddler wears a hoodie, hat or hat when you lay them down for a nap, it could have potentially deadly side effects, a baby and child first-aid training team has warned.
Because objects covering their heads could slide down and suffocate or even strangle them.
“Keeping your baby’s head and face uncovered while they sleep reduces the risk of sudden and unexpected death, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS),” the team behind CPR children wrote.
SIDS, also known as “child death,” refers to the sudden, unexpected, and unexplained death of an apparently healthy baby.
Although the syndrome sounds alarming, it is very rare and only around 200 babies are diagnosed with it in the UK each year, according to the NHS.
It typically occurs in a baby’s first six months of life, usually when they are sleeping.
You can further reduce the small chance that your little one will develop SIDS by being careful not to smoke during pregnancy and by always sleeping with your child on their back.
Aside from the risk of choking or SIDS, putting your baby to sleep with their head covered can also lead to overheating.
According to CPR Kids, this is because little ones regulate their temperature via their face and head.
according to dr Bec Thornton, Red Nose’s national health promotion manager: “Research has linked the risks of SIDS to overheating, and overheating can be caused by space heating, high body temperature, and excessive clothing or bedding.”
“Putting your baby on their back with their head and face uncovered to sleep has been shown in research to protect against overheating and suffocation, thereby reducing the risk of SIDS.”
The paramedics behind CPR Kids have advised that you should remove any hood, hat, hat, headband, hoodie, or hooded clothing before your child sleeps or takes a nap.