Sleep Safety Guidelines for Babies

Every parent should know about safe sleeping with their little one. Safe sleeping advice has helped to massively reduce SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

Until your little one is six months old, the safest place for them to sleep is in a cot,
in your room

Here is some safe sleep advice;

• Always place your baby to sleep on their back - in the 'feet to foot' sleeping position - with
  their feet at the bottom of the cot
• Tuck in the blanket no higher than their shoulders
• Your baby’s head should always be uncovered
• Breastfeed your baby
• Don’t allow anyone to smoke in the house
• Don't share a bed with your baby if you're really tired, have drunk alcohol or taken any
  form of drugs, or if you or your partner smoke
• Don’t take your baby into your bed if they were born prematurely, before 37 weeks, or had
  a low birth weight (less 5 1/2 pounds).
• Never go to sleep on the sofa or in a chair while holding your baby.
• Remove any soft toys from the cot before your baby goes to sleep.
• A second-hand mattress, brought in from outside your family home, may increase the risk
  of SIDS
• Don't use duvets, pillows or cot bumpers
• Try to keep your baby’s room at a constant temperature – the ideal is about 18C
• Never put your baby’s cot next to a radiator or in direct sunlight

For lots of useful information about safe sleep for babies and SIDS, go to the Lullaby Trust website at https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk call their advice line on 0808 802 6869.