Safer Sleep Week is The Lullaby Trust’s national awareness campaign targeting anyone looking after a young baby. Raising awareness of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and the simple advice that reduces the risk of it occurring.
Saving babies’ lives
Sadly, around four babies a week in the UK still die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and if all parents were aware of safer sleep advice, many lives could be saved. Around 700,000 babies are born every year in the UK and we want to reach all new parents and carers with our life-saving messages.
Learn more about safer sleeping
The following information has been copied form The Lullaby Trust, a trusted source of information and advice about safe sleeping.
Safer sleep for babies: the basics
Following this advice for every sleep, day and night, reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS, previously known as cot death). Our safer sleep advice has saved the lives of over 30,000 babies since 1991.
The safest place for a baby to sleep is in their own clear, flat, firm separate sleep space (e.g. a cot or Moses basket) in the same room as you.
- Lie your baby on their back.
- Keep their cot clear.
- Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress.
- Keep baby smoke-free.
- Avoid your baby getting too hot.
- Sleep your baby in the same room as you for at least the first six months.
Room temperature
Make sure that your baby’s room is a comfortable temperature. Try to keep the room temperature between 16 – 20°C. The risk of SIDS is higher in babies who get too hot. Monitor your baby’s room temperature with a room thermometer.
Breastfeeding
Breastmilk contains all the nutrients your baby needs for the first six months of life. Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
The safest cot is a clear cot
The safest cot for a baby is a clear cot. That means removing anything that isn’t essential. Babies need just two items in their cot:
- A firm, flat, waterproof mattress.
- Lightweight bedding.
It’s important to remove anything that isn’t essential because items such as toys, blankets and bumpers could cover their face and obstruct their breathing. When preparing your baby’s sleep space, remember:
- No pillows or duvets
- No cot bumpers
- No soft toys or comforters
- No weighted or bulky bedding
- No products designed to keep your baby in one sleeping position, such as wedges or straps
- No pods or nests, rolled up towels or anything soft placed on top of the mattress.
Room sharing with your baby
Have your baby sleeping in the same room as you for at least the first six months, day and night. The risk of SIDS is lower when your baby sleeps in the same room as you, compared to having them sleep alone.
This doesn’t mean you can’t leave the room to make a cup of tea or go to the toilet, but they’re safest if you’re close by most of the time. It means you can keep an eye on them and attend to them if they need anything.
Smoking and your baby
The risk of SIDS is much higher if you or your partner smoke whilst you’re pregnant, or after your baby is born. The NHS has information about the benefits when you stop smoking and the support available to you.
Routine
Creating a sleep-preparation routine that follows our advice on safer sleep for babies can help safer sleep become habit. It can seem challenging to follow when you are very tired, and it may be tempting to do something different. Routine is key and doing something differently to what you’d usually do can be unsafe. For example, babies who are normally slept on their backs but sometimes slept on their fronts are at higher risk of SIDS.
Safer baby products
There are so many products out there that it’s hard to know which are safest for your baby to sleep in. We’re here to help with mattresses and bedding, car seats, slings and swaddling, dummies, baby monitors and second hand baby products. The Lullaby Trust has more information and advice on safe baby products.
If you’re pregnant, check out our pregnancy and maternity pages for support through your journey.
