Firm cot mattresses ''important'' for infants
19/10/2011
Giving infants a firm mattress to sleep on and encouraging them to lie on their backs is the safest way for them to sleep, one group has recommended.
The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) has issued revised guidance on the safest conditions for babies to sleep in, which include using a rigid sleep surface.
It revealed that car seats and other sitting devices should not regularly be used, nor should bedding such as wedges and positioners.
In order to encourage infants to doze off, the AAP suggests that a pacifier is a good way to achieve quality rest, as is ensuring the child is not able to over-heat.
When the kids are older, the ECU Play Project recently indicated that bedtime reading can be effective at encouraging them to play more frequently.
Children with a structured day were found to enjoy 30 more minutes of unstructured play each day than those who were allowed to do as they please.
Posted by Elizabeth Mewes
