ABC Safer Sleep Advice
What can I do as a parent to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)?
You can reduce the risks of SIDS occuring by following our ABC safer sleep advice:
Always sleep your baby on their back in a clear cot or sleep space.
- sleep your baby on their back for all sleeps, day and night, as this can reduce the risk of SIDS by six times compared to sleeping them on their front
- share a room with your baby for the first six months, this can halve the risks of SIDS
- keep your baby smoke-free during pregnancy and after birth. Around 60% of SIDS cases could be avoided if no baby was exposed to smoke during or after pregnancy
- never sleep on a sofa or armchair with your baby as this can increase the risks of SIDS by 50 times
- do no co-sleep with your baby if you or your partner have drunk any amount of alcohol, smoke, or have been taking drugs or medication that may make you drowsy
- our co-sleeping advice is especially important for babies who were born premature or of low birth weight, as these babies are at a higher risk of SIDS
Recommended products:
- cots or moses basket
- sleeping bag or sheet and blanket
- room thermometer
- car seat
Products not advised:
- pods, nests or sleep positioners
- pillows, duvets or thick heavy bedding
- cot bumpers
- hampers
Visit the Lullaby Trust website for more information: https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk