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Place your baby to sleep in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first 6 months, even during the day. A large study of evidence from across Europe found that the risk of sudden infant death was significantly reduced when the infant slept in the same room, but not the same bed, as the parents.

• The safest place for your baby to sleep for the first 6 months is in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you
• The chance of SIDS is lower when babies sleep in a separate cot in the same room as their parents

#safersleepweek

The Lullaby Trust, ‘Safer Sleep for babies: a Guide for Parents’,
https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/room-share

The position your baby is placed to sleep in each night is one of the most protective actions you can take to ensure your baby is sleeping as safely as possible. There is substantial evidence from round the world to show that sleeping your baby on their back (known as the supine position) at the beginning of every sleep or nap significantly reduces the risk of sudden infant death.

• You should always place your baby on their back to sleep and not on their front or side (unless your doctor has advised you of a medical reason to do so)
• Sleeping a baby on their front or side greatly increases the chance of SIDS
• It is important that you always put your baby on their back as part of their regular sleep routine – the chance of SIDS is particularly high for babies who are sometimes placed on their front or side
• If your baby has rolled onto their tummy, you should turn them onto their back again
• Once your baby can roll from back to front and back again, on their own, they can be left to find their own position

The best way to make sure your baby sleeps on their back is to do this from day one, and keep putting them to sleep on their backs for every day and night time sleep. It is also important that you keep the same routine for your baby, as babies who are normally slept on their backs but sometimes slept on their fronts are at a great risk of sudden death.

#safersleepweek

The Lullaby Trust, ‘Safer Sleep for babies: a Guide for Parents’,
www.lullabytrust.org.uk/back-to-sleep

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 unexpected 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.

Although we don’t yet know how to completely prevent SIDS, it is possible to significantly lower the chances of it happening by following the advice opposite. You should try to follow the advice for all sleep periods where possible, not just at night.

This guide lists the essential things you can do, or avoid doing, to help lower the chance of SIDS and explains why they are so important. You can also talk to your midwife or health visitor if you have any questions or concerns, or get in touch with us.

Things you can do…

• Always place your baby on their back to sleep.
• Keep your baby smoke free during pregnancy and after birth.
• Breastfeed your baby, if you can.
• Place your baby to sleep in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first 6 months.
• 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, take drugs or are extremely tired, or 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.

#safersleepweek

The Lullaby Trust, ‘Safer Sleep for babies: a Guide for Parents’,
www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep