Newsweek
Millennial mom anxious about baby's sleep—then finds her 1993 crib video
Erika Glidden was "shocked" to see how much the sleep practices have changed 30 years on.
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Then vs. Now: Viral Video Shows 90s Baby Sleep Practices, Sparking Safe Sleep Debate
A recent viral video shared by TikTok user Erika Glidden offers a nostalgic glimpse into infant sleep practices of the 1990s, sparking conversations about evolving safety guidelines. The footage, dated April 8, 1993, shows a two-month-old baby, identified by Glidden as herself, sleeping on its stomach in a crib. The crib is notably filled with multiple pillows, blankets, and crib bumpers, a stark contrast to today's widely recommended safe sleep environments. Glidden's video overlays text stating her current concerns about mattress safety in her baby's bassinet, juxtaposed with her own infancy, where she slept amidst numerous soft items. This visual comparison highlights the significant shifts in pediatric recommendations over the past three decades, particularly concerning the prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Modern guidelines emphasize a bare crib, firm mattress, and babies sleeping on their backs to reduce risks.
