Safer Sleep: Keeping baby safer when they snooze

Learning about safer sleep doesn’t need to be a snooze fest. Here are my top tips for you to follow to help keep your baby safer whilst you slumber.

Hey there sleepy one. As a new parent, you are probably constantly worrying about your baby’s safety, especially when it comes to their sleep. That’s why this week, we are celebrating Safer Sleep Week in the UK (13-17 March) to raise awareness of the guidelines that can help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Here are some tips that you can follow to make sure your baby is sleeping safely:

1. Place your baby on their back to sleep: This is the safest position for your baby to sleep in. It reduces the risk of SIDS, which is the sudden and unexpected death of a baby who is less than one year old. You should place your baby on their back to sleep for all naps and at night.
2. Use a firm, flat mattress: You should make sure that your baby’s mattress is firm and flat. This will reduce the risk of SIDS and help prevent suffocation. You should avoid using a second-hand mattress as it may not be firm enough.
3. Keep your baby’s sleeping area clear: You should make sure that your baby’s sleeping area is clear of any soft objects or loose bedding, such as pillows, toys, and blankets. This will reduce the risk of suffocation and choking. You can use a sleep sack or a swaddle to keep your baby warm instead of a blanket. Cot bumpers are also now deemed unsafe.
4. Share a room: You should share a room with your baby for the first six months of their life. This will reduce the risk of SIDS by up to 50%.
5. Avoid smoking and alcohol: You should avoid smoking and drinking alcohol during pregnancy and after your baby is born. This will reduce the risk of SIDS and other health problems. You should also avoid exposing your baby to second-hand smoke, as this can increase the risk of SIDS.
6. Breastfeed if possible: Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. If possible, you should breastfeed your baby. If you cannot breastfeed, do not be hard on yourself – following all the other steps here will still help keep baby safe.
7. Consider using a dummy: Using a dummy at naptime and bedtime has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. However, if your baby does not want to use a dummy, you should not force them. We also understand dummies are a personal choice so you may not want to use one for your baby – but the choice is yours.

If you have any concerns about your baby’s health or safety, you should talk to your healthcare provider.

Safer Sleep Week is a great time to remind ourselves of the importance of safe sleep practices for infants. By following these guidelines, you can help keep your baby safe and sound while they sleep. If you want more information, you can visit websites like The Lullaby Trust and the NHS, which provide additional resources and support for new parents.

For more sleep content, check out Melatonin- The reason baby’s stop sleeping at 8 weeks.