BUFFALO, N.Y. — The month of October is recognized as Infant Safe Sleep and SIDS Awareness Month.
Author of '101 Baby Hacks' and certified infant massage instructor, Elina Furman shared holistic baby wellness and sleep tips for parents.
"Safety is obviously the number one priority," Furman said. "It's so important to follow the recommendations and guidelines for a firm mattress and an empty space free from any suffocation hazards like blankets, pillows, you just really want to keep a bare space."
Especially around Buffalo as the temperatures start to drop, many parents may try to overcompensate and overdress their babies in warm clothes. Furman advises against this and warns it poses a safety hazard. One tip she suggests is having wearable blankets that zip up instead of loose blankets to keep babies warm. If a baby is getting too hot, there is a simple way to check.
"You always tell by touching your babies back by just placing your finger there to just make sure they're not sweating," Furman said.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome also known as SIDS is also observed during the month of October. The cause of SIDS is unknown, but it may be caused by problems in the area of an infant's brain that controls breathing and waking up from sleep, according to Mayo Clinic.
Because breathing is a major factor in SIDS, Furman suggests training babies to have stronger neck muscles and core strength. This will allow babies to move their head and neck if they cannot breathe.
'That can be done through massage and regular tummy time," Furman said. "You have to encourage your baby to do those things, especially tummy time, even though they will often protest."