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Safer sleep for babies
Safer sleep reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS, previously known as cot death) occurring. Sadly, we don’t know how to completely prevent SIDS but we do know that following the safe sleep advice significantly reduces the risk to your baby.
Following the safe sleep advice day and night until your child is 12 months old is very simple and will keep your baby safer as well as bringing you some reassurance.
- Lie your baby on their back to sleep.
- Keep their cot clear.
- Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in good condition.
- Keep your baby smoke free, day and night, during pregnancy and after birth. This includes e cigarettes.
- Place your baby to sleep in a separate cot or moses basket in the same room as you for at least the first six months.
- Breastfeed your baby if possible
- Avoid your baby getting too hot. Don’t cover your baby’s face or head while sleeping or use loose bedding.
You may choose to share a bed with your baby but there are some occasions where this is not advised;
- Do not sleep in the same bed as your baby if you smoke, or your baby was exposed to smoking in pregnancy, this includes e cigarettes.
- Do not sleep in the same bed as your baby if you have recently drunk alcohol. All babies need a sober carer to respond to their needs.
- Do not sleep in the same bed as you r baby if you have taken any drugs that may make you feel sleepy or less aware (including prescription medication).
- Do not sleep in the same bed as your baby if your baby was born prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) or was of low birth weight (less than 2.5 kg).
- Never sleep on a sofa or armchair with your baby.
More Information
Safer Sleep For Babies
How to Co-Sleep more safely
If you do choose to share a bed with your baby or if it is unplanned make sure you;
- Check that your baby can’t become trapped, stuck or fall out of the bed
- Do not leave your baby alone in an adult bed.
- Keep pillows and duvets away form the baby.
- Keep pets and other children away from sharing the bed.
When your baby won’t sleep
Caring for your baby can be tiring and sleep deprivation can be really hard especially in the first weeks. As tempting as it might be to try anything that might encourage your baby to sleep for longer it is really important to follow the safer sleep advice for every sleep to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Any time you feel you might fall asleep with your baby, make sure they are on their back in a clear, flat, separate sleep space. If you’re breastfeeding whilst lying down, ensure your baby can’t roll on their front. Keep your baby on their back, or move them onto their back once they’ve been fed.
Baby Check App – Is your baby really ill?
If you’re worried your baby is showing signs of being unwell, The Lullaby Trust’s Baby Check app can help you decide whether they need to see a healthcare professional or not.
Useful Links
- Safer Sleep for babies – Safer-sleep-guide-for-parents.pdf
- Caring for your baby at night – Caring-for-your-baby-at-night-and-when-sleeping.pdf
- Smoking – Smoking-factsheet.pdf
- Safer Sleep Products – Product-guide.pdf
- Safer Sleep if you are away from home – Staying away from home poster DIGITAL
- Safer sleep in emergency situations – Safer-sleep-in-emergency-situations.pdf
- Safer sleep for premature or low birth weight babies – Safer-sleep-advice-for-premature-babies.pdf
- Safer sleep for multiple births – Twins and multiples | The Lullaby Trust
Pregnancy and first five years
- Pregnancy and First Five Years
- Oral Health for Babies, Children and those with Additional Needs
- Pregnancy
- Early Days
- Dealing with a very young baby
- Safer sleep for babies
- Introducing Solid Foods
- Home Safety
- Bedtime and Daytime Wetting
- Toilet Training
- Constipation and Soiling
- Relationships and sexual health
- Postnatal Anxiety
- Funded Early Education Entitlement for 2 Year Olds (FEEE2)