SAFER SLEEP ADVICE

It is not known why some babies die suddenly from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), or cot death. Research suggests that placing your baby to sleep on their back lowers the risk. Exposing a baby to cigarette smoke or allowing them to overheat also increases the risk to a baby. SIDS is rare, so it is important this does not stop you and your family enjoying your baby’s first few weeks and months. The NHS has some great advice, so if you would like to know more about preventing SIDS please click here.

In addition, the Lullaby Trust provides parents/carers with simple steps around ways to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, along with lots of other valuable information around safe sleep, including co-sleeping with your baby.

✔ Always place your baby to sleep on their back, with their feet at the bottom of the cot.

✔ Keep your baby smoke free at all times.

✔ The safest place for your baby to sleep is on their own sleep surface, in the same room as you, for at least the first six months.

✔ Use a firm, flat waterproof mattress that is in good condition and fits the Moses basket or cot properly.

✘ Never sleep on a sofa or armchair with your baby, this can increase the risk of SIDS by 50 times.

✘ Avoid letting your baby become too hot. A room temperature of 16-20°C – with light bedding or a lightweight, well-fitting baby sleep bag – is comfortable and safe.

✘ Don’t cover your baby’s face or head while sleeping. Don’t use loose bedding, tuck in blankets and sheets, and keep sleep surface clear of pillows & toys.

It is particularly risky to share a sleep surface with your baby if:

• You or your partner  smokes (even if you do not smoke in the bedroom).
• You or your partner has drank alcohol or taken drugs (including medications that may make you drowsy).
• You are extremely tired.
• Your baby was born premature (37 weeks or less).
• Your baby was born at a low weight (2.5kg or 5½ lbs or less).

We created a Welcome to the World card, which can be shared with new families to help them learn the basics of safer sleep.

You can download the card for free, should you wish to share it with a someone you know.

Download the 'Welcome to the World' card.

Safer Sleep Week is an annual awareness event ran by The Lullaby Trust, to raise awareness of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and to equip parents with information on how the can reduce the risk.

This year, we are working with our partner organisations across Hull and the East Riding to showcase a local angle, presenting statistics and guidance that directly impacts those in our communities.

As part of this, we will focus on the theme of out of routine sleeping, covering topics such as how parents can best prepare a safe sleeping space for their baby when going to new locations or when simply trying something different.

Throughout the week, we will share social media posts with daily themes, advice and support for parents, and we will circulate national resources supplied by the Lullaby Trust.

This includes posters, booklets and website links, enabling parents to stay up to date with the latest guidance.

It's our goal that we will have shared useful information and helpful tips that are easy to remember, and therefore easy to apply no matter what scenario a parent may find themselves in, so that all families can move forwards knowing that they’re well-equipped with the knowledge to keep their babies safe when sleeping.