Are you wondering how to elevate a bassinet mattress? The steps are very simple to execute; and these you will learn as you read along.
Bedtime can be the most challenging time if you have a baby. It can even become worse if your baby is suffering from acid reflux.
That is because symptoms usually disturb their sleep.
Acid tends to splash up readily into the esophagus when the baby is lying flatly on the mattress.
And thus, causing your precious little one some pain.
Fortunately, elevating the bassinet mattress of your baby might help.
Elevating A Bassinet Mattress For Comfort
As mentioned, increasing the bassinet mattress height could help prevent the chances of acid reflux for your baby.
That is because sleeping in an inclined position can help in reducing the symptoms of reflux.
Some parents think of this as a miracle cure.
Simply getting the baby to sleep in an inclined position will ease your mind for a bit.
It is also said to help common colds, colic, among others.
Although more and more new researchers claim that this is not true, many pediatricians and doctors prescribe it.
Some instances are told to have their baby sleeping in a slightly inclined position as a remedy.
If you are not quite sure if you should do this or not, you can go and see your doctor.
Check whether or not they would approve of this.
But usually, doctors would tell you that you need a rolled blanket or pillows to complete the procedure. But how?
Find out the easy steps below.
Easy Steps To Elevate A Bassinet Mattress
According to experts, it is not advisable to put a fluffy object such as a pillow, for example, to raise the head of the baby.
Instead, you can have your baby sleeping better by raising the bassinet’s head.
Doing this can raise the head of the baby while keeping it on his back.
So, how to elevate a bassinet mattress?
Here are the steps that you should follow to elevate your baby’s bassinet mattress and give him a better sleep free from those symptoms that disturb his sleep:
Step #1. Taking the mattress out
Take the mattress out of the bassinet and put it aside.
Step #2. Folding a towel
Fold a towel or two in half and tightly roll them.
You might as well use receiving blankets in this step and perform the same procedure.
Step #3. Positioning the towel
Place the receiving blankets or the towel at your baby bassinet’s head.
Make sure that it is positioned on the spot where the head of the baby will lie.
Step #4. Filling the gap
Put the mattress back onto the bassinet.
In doing this, you have to ensure that no gaps exist between the side of the bassinet and the bed.
Warning: You must not put your little one to sleep on his stomach.
Although babies tend to sleep better in that position, it raises SIDS risks, which stands for sudden infant death syndrome.
If your baby still can’t get to sleep even after you put him in an inclined position, the best thing to do is to consult your pediatrician as they can offer some solutions.
When And Why Do You Need To Elevate Your Bassinet Mattress?
You need to put your baby in an elevated or inclined position basically to boost fluid drainage away from your baby’s facial area and head.
Like how we would elevate our leg or foot when it’s injured or in pain, it can prevent them from swelling too much.
Such a procedure can also offer better circulation.
The same advice is commonly used for babies.
Most doctors would suggest putting your baby in a slightly inclined sleeping position to ease the following:
- Ear infection
- Reflux
- Common colds
- Other congestion
In general, the most suggested angle for inclined sleeping positions for babies is ranging from 15 up to 30 degrees.
Although I want to point out that there is some contradictory evidence about this.
Not all experts are convinced that elevating the baby’s head when sleeping can help with those mentioned above.
One group that is opposing this idea is the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Also, there are many references nowadays against any product for an inclined sleeping position, such as sleep wedges and rock and plays.
For that reason, I have emphasized throughout this article that it is essential to seek the approval of your pediatrician or doctor first.
Some Alternatives To Elevated Sleeping
Since a lot is against the idea of elevated sleeping, you might want to try other alternatives.
Alternative #1. Other sleeping positions
Specialized sleep positions for babies are said to reduce reflux symptoms, but sleeping on the back is still the safest sleeping position.
Alternative #2. Tummy time
You must not worry if you only use the elevated position for the prevention of flathead.
Just remember that you need a lot of tummy time.
It’s A Wrap!
Putting your baby sleeping in an inclined position faces some controversies and issues about safety.
Some claim that this can help babies suffering from reflux, colic, and congestion.
But recent researches questions the safety of this remedy.
The best thing to do is to visit your doctor.
If he approves, then you can proceed with trying the elevated sleeping position for your baby.
Before I end, you want to read this to clean your memory foam spotless.
Regardless, that is how to elevate a bassinet mattress.