Safer sleep for your baby
Following safer sleep advice reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (sometimes called SIDS or cot death). Sadly, around 200 babies die suddenly and unexpectedly in their sleep every year in the UK. Although SIDS is rare, it can still happen and there are steps that parents can take to make sure that their babies are sleeping as safely as possible:
- For the first six months of your baby’s life the safest place for them to sleep is on their back in a moses basket or cot. Sleeping on a sofa or armchair with a baby can increase the chance of SIDS by up to 50 times.
- Babies should always be in the same room as you or any person looking after them for the first six months for all sleeps, day and night.
- Keep babies smoke free day and night and never allow anyone who is smoking, drinking or taking drugs (including medication) to share a bed with your baby
- Never fall asleep with your baby on an armchair or sofa.
- Never allow anyone who has been smoking, drinking or taking drugs (including medication) to share a bed with your baby.
- If your baby was born prematurely (before 37 weeks) or had a low birthweight less than 5.5 pounds (2.5kg) it’s important not to share a bed with them. For premature babies, follow safer sleep advice for a year from their due date, rather than when they were born.
Share this information with any person who will care for your baby to learn about safer sleep and help reduce the risk to your baby (parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends and childminders).
