Napping on a Heated Carpet... Is It Dangerous?

Many mothers may have heard that "sleeping on the stomach can lead to sudden infant death."

Sleeping on the stomach is considered a risk factor for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

SIDS refers to the sudden and unexplained death of an infant who was previously healthy, occurring while they are asleep, and is not caused by an accident or suffocation. In Japan, it is estimated that the frequency of SIDS is about 1 in every 6,000 to 7,000 births, with the majority of cases occurring between the ages of 2 and 6 months.

The exact cause is still unknown, but several risk factors have been identified.

The most well-known factor is sleeping on the stomach. Infants who sleep on their stomachs are at a higher risk compared to those who sleep on their backs.

Another risk factor is the accumulation of heat in the body.

Overdressing or excessive heating can disrupt the baby's ability to regulate their body temperature, leading to overheating, a phenomenon called "heat rash" (or "utsune" in Japanese).

Heavy blankets that babies cannot move away from themselves are also a risk for suffocation, but they can contribute to overheating as the baby is unable to shift the blanket off their body.

Particularly with heated carpets and floor heating, babies are at an increased risk because they cannot adjust the temperature themselves, which makes the danger of overheating greater.

What might feel comfortable to adults, such as warm feet or a cozy bottom, can be dangerous for a small baby.

Even if the baby sleeps in a crib or on a bed at night, they may end up napping on the carpet or falling asleep while playing during the day.

Other factors that can contribute to overheating include warming milk too much, overdressing, high room temperatures, hot water bottles, and electric blankets.

Overheating can also occur not only from heated carpets but also from overdressing.

It is important to use sleep sacks and heating sources appropriately, and regularly ventilate the room to create a comfortable environment for the baby.