Safer sleeping advice

Becoming a parent is a special experience, but can be very daunting, especially when it comes to keeping your baby safe.

Below are some simple dos and don'ts for safe sleeping.

• DO place your baby on their back to sleep, with their feet at the end of their cot or Moses basket
• DO keep your baby smoke free during pregnancy and birth
• DO place your baby to sleep in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first six months
• DO breastfeed your baby, if you can
• DO use a flat, waterproof mattress in good condition
• DON’T sleep with your baby in a bed, on a sofa or in an armchair
• DON’T sleep in the same bed as your baby – the risk is further increased if you smoke, drink or take drugs or if your baby was born prematurely or was of low birth weight
• DON’T let your baby get too hot
• DON’T cover your baby’s face or head while sleeping or use loose bedding
• DON’T put your baby to sleep next to another child

The Lullaby Trust [External link] promotes expert advice on safer baby sleep and provides special support for anyone bereaved through Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

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.