Kim Kardashian posted a photo on Instagram of her new baby, Psalm, sleeping with blankets, loose objects, and cot bumpers in the crib, TODAY reported.
The Instagram post has since been removed after the comment thread was flooded with warnings and demands regarding the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), also known as crib death.
“Congratulations!! However PLEASE consider removing all that bedding and soft base from the crib. A baby should sleep on a firm, flat surface,” one Instagram user said.
“This is how NOT to put your baby down to sleep!!! Hoping this reaches other mothers and educates on safer sleeping! The snuggle pod should NOT be used in a cot and at night time. The baby should NOT be overwrapped [sic]. The baby should NOT have a hat on in the house. The head should be allowed to release excess heat and there should be NO cot bumpers!!! Feet should be positioned at the bottom of the cot, baby not placed in the middle!!,” said another Instagram user.
Then Kardashian shared a screenshot of the photo on Twitter.
Psalm West pic.twitter.com/F0elQd1cJq
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) May 17, 2019
Internet user Renee Moore partially defended Kardashian’s decision to put Psalm in a soft crib.
Kim Kardashian West’s post of baby Psalm’s crib makes experts cringe https://t.co/UBP8Msqmz6
No one should voice opinion about how someone is taking care of their child, because 9 times out of 10 the others made mistakes just like yours. Always Love Them Angels.— Renee Moore (@ReneeMo87327906) May 23, 2019
Most of the people that commented on the tweet had opinions about the name she gave—it wasn’t long before the jokes started rolling in.
Twitter user Puppyteeth comically rearranged the letters of Psalm.
i’m jealous i always wanted a name that could anagram to lamps
— puppyteeth (@jaikpuppyteeth) May 17, 2019
Lee came in with a pun.
Face psalm
— Lee (@mancvic) May 17, 2019
According to Trenton, names like Psalm are meant to inspire; other names, not so much.
Standard naming conventions are outdated and hardly mean anything. Jackson, Liam, Noah, Aiden, and Caden are the top 5 males names of last year. Names are important and should inspire. Sometimes Liam doesn’t do that.
— Trenton (@no_tnert) May 18, 2019
Still others continued to share their concerns about the possible dangers in the crib.
Twitter user Sargie recommended Kardashian to educated herself on SIDs.
Newborns should not be sleeping with a cushion like that and those blankets… please learn about SIDS, you are wealthy enough. ???? I don’t even have or want kids and I hear about this topic a lot from friends.
— Sargie ???? (@Sergeant_Meow) May 19, 2019
Clare G, a mother and professional midwife, couldn’t help but notice all the potential dangers the newborn was exposed to.
I can’t help it: all I can see are SIDS risks, it’s my job. Cot bumpers restricting air flow, loose covers and things under his head.
— Clare G #FBPE (@GillilandClare) May 18, 2019
Kimberly McCurdy also added some insight.
You better clear that crib Kim .I am hoping this was a staged photo but it doesn’t appear to be .That bed is a death traps .
— Kimberly Mccurdy (@kimandmike7786) May 24, 2019
Although there was a lot of media attention on the criticism, Twitter user Tiffani Knight marveled at how mothers who were less strict in the past were still able to raise their children.
Lord @KimKardashian I don’t know how we ever survived! When we were babies our moms laid us on our stomachs with everything in the crib matter of fact I had a water bed in my crib
— Tiffani Knight (@Tiffani43438285) May 24, 2019
Dr. Lana Gain, a pediatrician at a Michigan children’s hospital, told TODAY about the appropriate practice of putting babies to sleep.
“Younger babies up to 4 months of age are at the highest risk for sleep-related deaths,” Gagin said. “(But) we recommend strict safe sleep practices up until 12 months of age.”
She added that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that people should put almost nothing in the crib, even products that are considered safe for sleeping babies.
Hats, blankets, and anything used to keep a baby warm isn’t necessary, only one layer of clothing is needed.
Gagin continued to give instruction on the practice of putting them to sleep.
“Place your baby on his or her back on a firm sleep surface, such as a crib or bassinet, with a tight-fitting mattress with a tight-fitting sheet,” she said. “The crib should be essentially bare.”
“Parents need to avoid using any soft objects in the bed, and this includes crib bumpers, blankets, pillows, soft toys (and baby positioners),” Gagin said.
According to her, any sort of soft items can cause the baby difficulty in breathing, possibly death.
“Unfortunately, it can happen to anyone,” Gagin said.
