The content provided on this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have and to learn more about your child's specific needs.

When it comes to preparing your nursery for your little one, you’ve probably thought about the colours of the room, how you want to decorate it, and the preferred furniture you’d like to add. But have you thought about the air circulation in that room? This critically important detail is often overlooked. Or if it has been considered, you may have wondered what type of air circulation is best. Is air conditioning preferred? Or should babies sleep with a fan on? 

If you’re asking these questions, you’re certainly not alone. Air circulation isn’t the most glamorous topic, but it is something worth considering. So, is it safe for your baby to sleep with a fan on? 

Keep reading to learn about the importance of air circulation, and why having a baby sleep with a fan may reduce the risk of SIDS. 

First of all, what exactly is SIDS? SIDS stands for  sudden infant death syndrome , and it’s the leading cause of death for babies between one month and one year old. While the cause of SIDS is still unknown and being researched, one common theory is that SIDS is due to the buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood.  Boston’s Children’s Hospital  offers the following explanation: When babies sleep face down, they may re-breathe carbon dioxide. Normally, rising carbon dioxide levels activate nerve cells in the brainstem, which stimulate the brain’s respiratory and arousal centers. The baby wakes up, turns his head and breathes faster to get more oxygen. SIDS babies, however, may fail to rouse. 

If, for example, a baby is trapped by covered blankets or bedding, sleeping on their stomach, or sleeping too close to a family member, their airway may be blocked, resulting in sudden death of the infant. A room that’s too hot can also interfere with a baby’s natural ability to breathe, making them more susceptible to SIDS. 

According to the  Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine , the use of a ceiling fan can reduce the risk of SIDS by up to 72%. Here are some of the reasons why:

• Improve air quality: A gentle airflow can reduce the build-up of carbon dioxide around the baby's face, which could be critical if ventilation is poor.

• Reduction of overheating: Overheating is a known risk factor for SIDS. A ceiling fan provides a gentle airflow that keeps the temperature in the baby's sleeping area more comfortable.

• Promoting deeper sleep: The constant, quiet sound of a fan can have a calming effect and contribute to a safer sleeping environment. 

Beyond the benefit of reducing the risk of SIDS, here are a few other benefits that come with turning on a fan in your baby’s room:

• White noise. Babies who learn to fall asleep to the sound of silence may be awakened more frequently due to background noises that they hear. White noise—which also mimics the sounds inside the womb—helps to muffle the noises outside the room so that your baby can fall asleep easier and stay asleep longer.

• Temperature. Regardless of where you live, there are probably seasons that are warmer than others. A fan will help keep those warmer temperatures at bay, helping to ensure a more comfortable room for your baby.

• Gentleness on skin. Because air conditioning alters the condition of the air, some babies with sensitive skin can develop eczema or respiratory problems such as asthma. On the contrary, a fan doesn’t change the condition of the air. Rather, it simply circulates it. Because of this, a fan can be gentler on your baby’s sensitive skin. 

Although the use of a fan can certainly help reduce the risk of SIDS, it’s important for parents to realise that there is much more to infant safety than simply placing a fan in their bedroom. The main piece of advice related to SIDS in the 90s was to put your baby to sleep on their back. This advice still rings true today. 

In addition to back sleeping, here are a few other important recommendations from the  NHS  to consider:

• Keep your baby, or any baby you're caring for, in the same room as you when they're sleeping until they're at least 6 months old

• Keep your baby's head uncovered

• Keep your baby’s nighttime clothing on the lighter side to avoid overheating. Your baby should be dressed lightly, and the room temperature should be comfortable.

• Babies shouldn’t share the bed with you. Although you can place their crib in your room, it’s important that they sleep on a firm mattress in their own crib.

• Remove any soft objects or loose bedding from their crib. When your baby is sleeping, items such as toys, blankets, and pillows should be removed.

• Mothers who smoke during pregnancy and babies who are exposed to secondhand smoke are at the greatest risk for SIDS. Make sure that your baby is living in a smoke-free environment.

• Place your baby in the "feet to foot" position, with their feet touching the end of the cot or Moses basket

• Do not let your baby get too hot or cold

• Never sleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair 

Even when following all the safe sleep practices and guidelines, having an extra layer of insight into your baby's wellbeing can make a meaningful difference. Dream Duo™ combines both Dream Sock® and Owlet Cam® 2, offering a more complete picture of your baby's sleep and environment.

Dream Sock® is a medically-certified baby monitor that tracks your baby’s oxygen level, pulse rate, and sleep patterns, helping you better understand their wellbeing while they rest. Owlet Cam® 2 allows you to view your baby with live video and audio and provides real-time readings of room temperature and humidity. This can help you keep an eye on the comfort of the sleep environment and adjust conditions as needed. Both tools offer additional ways to stay informed and help create a more comfortable sleep space. 

SIDS is a parent’s worst nightmare. And, although scientists don’t fully understand what causes it, we luckily have tons of information and resources to help reduce the risk of SIDS. By ensuring that your baby’s room temperature is regulated and that the air is circulated, you greatly reduce the risk of SIDS. Plus, you’ll help create a comfortable environment for your baby to develop lifelong healthy sleep habits. Win-win.