Safer Sleep For Babies

Meeting and getting to know your baby is an extremely exciting and rewarding time. It’s also the beginning of a new relationship. Babies need a lot of sleep during the first few months of their lives so it’s important to ensure that they are sleeping as safely as possible.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden and unexplained death of a baby where no cause is found. While SIDS is rare, it can still happen and there are steps parents can take to help reduce the chance of this tragedy occurring.

The mechanisms that cause unexplained deaths in infancy are still not fully understood, therefore it is not possible for any manufacturer to say that a particular product will prevent SIDS. It is possible, however, to significantly lower the chances of it happening by following this safer sleep guidance. This advice is based on strong scientific evidence where safety has been proven. You should try to follow the advice for all sleep periods where possible, not just at night.

THINGS YOU CAN DO:

Always place your baby on their back to sleep
Keep your baby smoke free during pregnancy and after birth
Place your baby to sleep in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first 6 months
Breastfeed your baby, if you can
Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in good condition

THINGS TO AVOID:

Never sleep on a sofa or in an armchair with your baby
Don’t sleep in the same bed as your baby if you smoke, drink or take drugs or are extremely tired, if your baby was born prematurely or was of low birth-weight
Avoid letting your baby get too hot
Don’t cover your baby’s face or head while sleeping or use loose bedding

To avoid accidents remove all pillows, soft bedding, cot bumpers and soft toys from the cot.

For more information read the Lullaby Trust Guide for Safer Sleep.