Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexpected death of a baby 1-12 months of age.  It's also the number 1 cause of death for healthy babies.  Scary right?  It sure is.  But I've got good news because I learned that we could lower the risk of SIDs if we follow methods on Safe Sleep.

When I was a first time mom, I've read about SIDs, but I honestly I have not heard about HALO SleepSack.  I wish I already had at that time because sleeping with my baby got me paranoid every night.  Having a hard time sleeping throughout the night was already a challenge, but thinking about SIDs and fearing it might happen to my tiny baby instantly and without warning, every night at that, was worse.

When I had my second child, my paranoia about SIDs again kicked in and I had extended sleepless nights because of this.  I would imagine different disturbing thoughts about the syndrome and if I didn't have support of my hubby and friends, most likely I'd be a lokaret now.

When Ives Lim-Esteban, the woman behind HALO Philippines, the exclusive distributor of HALO SleepSack, invited me to a presentation about Halo SleepSack, SIDs and Safe Sleep for Filipino babies, I said yes right away.  Attending the event had clarified a lot of questions in my head about Safe Sleep.  I also learned a lot about how HALO SleepSack could actually help in minimizing the risks of SIDs and give us parents a peace of mind too.

• Always place your baby to sleep on his back. - I learned this from my mom.  I always let my 2 sons sleep on their backs.  It also is the best position than letting babies sleep on their tummies or sideways.  Doing the latter two contributes to the difficulty in baby's breathing and increases the risk of SIDs.
• Use a crib with a firm mattress and with a tight-fitting sheet. - I did buy firm mattresses for both D and W for their cribs, but not so tight fitting sheets.  I just used a loose comforter or a big blanket.  
• Remove all soft bedding and toys.  This is what I am guilty about.  I used to put lots of pillows and stuffed toys in their cribs.  There is a big chance that these soft toys or blankets could get to their faces and cause suffocation.  It's safer to just remove everything in the crib.  It should be just the swaddled baby.  

Wes at 1 month in a crib with plenty of soft bedding.  After learning about Safe Sleep, this photo scared me.  That bolster pillow beside my baby, could cause him SIDs should it gets on his face because it could suffocate him. =(  Sorry Wessie.. I now know better...

• Avoid bed-sharing with baby. - Ooops, another guilty mom here!  Although the baby's crib is in the room, I didn't put him there to sleep all the time.  Because I used to breastfeed my W, I found it very convenient for me to just bed-share with him.  But doing so is very dangerous.  Also doing so didn't give me a good night's sleep nor a peace of mind, rather it gave me more paranoia because I had to check him from time to time.   
• Lastly, use HALO SleepSack. - What's HALO SleepSack and why use it?  

The HALO SleepSack is a warm, cuddly blanket that babies can't kick off, ensuring baby sleeps soundly through the night. Therefore, in addition to sleeping safer, it helps babies sleep better too, thus promoting healthy physical, mental, and emotional development

• It keeps baby safer than using loose blankets or sheets.  
• It is economical because you don't have to purchase the expensive crib set.  Bare is best actually if you want a safer sleep for your baby.
• It's made up of non-toxic and hypo-allergenic materials which are guaranteed safe for our babies
• It gives you the better sleep you deserve because with HALO SleepSack, you know that your baby sleeps safer and thus give you that peace of mind you want.

Knowing now about safe sleep and HALO SleepSack, I would definitely use one to keep my baby safe and to make him sleep better.  Because when a baby sleeps better, the mommy of course is happier.