IC&YP Change Programme

Safer Sleep

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently healthy baby. In the UK, around 200 babies die every year as a result of SIDS. There is no known cause of SIDS but there is likely a combination of factors that contribute.

One way to reduce SIDS is making sure that babies are placed in a safe environment to sleep both during the day and at night. Since the 1990s, SIDS rates have fallen by approx. 80% and this has been attributed to families having more awareness of safer sleep advice.

It is our aim that every sleep should be a safe sleep for babies.

Basics

The key pieces of advice that we would give to make sure your baby has a safe sleep is:

  1. Babies should always sleep on their back
  2. Babies should sleep at the bottom of their cot (feet to foot)
  3. Keep the cot clear-no toys, pillows or cot bumpers
  4. Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress
  5. Keep the room where your baby sleeps smoke free
  6. Sleep in the same room as your baby for the first six months

Here is some advice from the Lullaby Trust:

https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Safer-sleep-for-babies-a-guide-for-parents-web.pdf

Here is some safer sleep advice for expectant parents:

https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Safer-sleep-from-day-one.pdf

Here is some safer sleep advice for nannies, childminders, foster carers, and nursery settings:

https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Safer-Sleep-Awareness-A-Guide-For-Childminders-Foster-Carers-Nannies-and-Nursery-Settings.pdf

Wondering what your baby will need for a safer sleep? Here is a simple product guide to help:

https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/The-Lullaby-Trust-Product-Guide-Web.pdf

Here is a video from the Lullaby Trust to talk about safer sleep:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suoccf8D1ns

Co-Sleeping

Some parents choose to share a bed or other sleep space with their baby-this is known as co-sleeping. Sometimes parents end up accidentally co-sleeping with their baby.

Co-sleeping has risks that to your baby but there are ways to reduce these risks:

  • Keep pillows and bedding away from the baby
  • Keep the baby away from the edge of the bed
  • Make sure you place the baby on their back while they are sleeping with their parent/carer
  • Avoid letting other children or pets into the bed if you are co-sleeping with a baby
  • Never leave a baby unattended in an adult bed

There are some circumstances when you should never co-sleep:

  • If anyone in the bed has consumed alcohol
  • If anyone in the bed smokes
  • If anyone in the bed is under the influence of drugs (even prescription medications) that can affect your levels of alertness
  • If the baby is premature or had a low birth weight

Please note you should never sleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair-this significantly increases the risk of SIDS.

We hope this advice should help you be able to help you to create a safe sleep space for your baby.