Safe co sleeping 7 how to#

But your baby probably won’t sleep for more than a few hours at a time to begin with.Making sure your baby sleep's through the night is very important some parents will opt for a cot bed or crib, others a Moses basket, but some parents choose to share their bed space with their baby, known as ‘ co-sleeping’. New babies sleep a lot – sometimes as much as 18 hours a day for the first month or so. There’s no normal amount of sleep and some babies sleep more than others. Your baby should sleep separately in their cot in these situations. you or your partner are overly tired - less than 4 hours sleep in previous 24 hours.you or your partner have had alcohol or taken drugs (legal or illegal).It’s never safe to share a bed with your baby if:

Safe co sleeping 7 how to#

If you’re thinking about bed-sharing, talk to your midwife, health visitor or family nurse about how to reduce the risks for your baby.īaby Sleep Info Source has more information about bed-sharing When your baby should always sleep separately Try and keep your baby on their back, or move them onto their back once they have been fed. If you are breastfeeding while lying down, make sure your baby cannot roll onto their front. Mothers do sometimes bed-share when breastfeeding, however, without some planning and thought it can be very dangerous.

other children and pets will not be in the bed at the same time as your baby.

your adult bedding can be kept away from your baby.

your baby cannot get trapped between the mattress and the wall.

Before you bed-share, consider whether you think it's a safe place for your baby to sleep. Make sure that any other family or friends who may look after your baby know how to put your baby down for a sleep safely.Īdult beds aren't designed for babies. If you're breastfeeding, wait at least 4 weeks before giving your baby a dummy. If your baby uses a dummy, use it for every sleep.

making your home smoke-free, and keeping your baby away from cigarette smoke.

taking your baby out of their car seat when they’re not travelling, and out from a bouncy seat, swing or nest if they’re asleep as their head can roll forward if they're not sleeping flat, which can affect their breathing.

keeping their head uncovered when they’re sleeping and taking off any swaddling or sleeping bag if they're in bed with you.

making sure they don't get too hot or cold - check their temperature by feeling their stomach or the back of their neck, and don’t go by hands and feet as they'll often feel cold.

removing any bumpers, pillows or soft toys from the cot as these can cause your baby to overheat or affect your baby's breathing if they're too close to their face.

always putting them feet first at the bottom of the cot so they can’t wriggle down and get caught under the blankets.

tucking them in with blankets across their chest and under their arms.

always putting them to sleep flat on their back on a firm flat mattress, and putting them on their back again if they roll over.

You can help your baby get a good sleep and stay as safe as possible by: You'll also be close by if they need a feed or cuddle. Since the Back to Sleep campaign began in 1991, the rate of SIDS has dropped by 80%.įor the first 6 months the safest place for your baby to sleep is in a cot, crib or moses basket in your room beside your bed and in the same room as you, for all sleeps.

was born before 37 weeks and/or born weighing less than 2.5 kgīreastfeeding your baby reduces the risks of SIDS Helping your baby sleep safely.

sleeps sitting up or not completely flat, such as in a car seat, as their head can roll forwards and affect how they’re breathing.

sleeps in another room during the day or night, where you can’t see them.

SIDS is at increased risk of happening if your baby:

smoke or smoked when you were pregnant or lived with someone who did.

share a bed with your baby and you or your partner have been drinking alcohol or have been taking drugs.

share a bed with your baby and you or your partner smoke.

sleep with your baby in an armchair or on the sofa.

SIDS is at increased risk of happening if you:

Babies born early and underweight, and twins or multiple babies are more at risk. Doctors don’t yet know what causes it but it’s most likely to happen in the first 6 months. SIDS happens most often during sleep at any time, day or night. You may hear the term sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) which used to be called cot death. Sometimes a cause is found, such as an underlying health condition, but often there's no obvious reason. Sadly, every year a small number of babies die suddenly and unexpectedly in their sleep. For the first 6 months of your baby's life the safest place for them to sleep is in a cot in the same room as the person looking after them, for all sleeps.