Safer sleep for children

Making sure your baby sleeps safely can protect against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) – the term for the sudden unexpected death of a baby or toddlers where no cause is found.

There is lots you can do to protect against SIDS:

• Place your baby on their back to sleep, in a cot in the same room as you, for the first six months
• Don’t smoke during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and don’t let anyone smoke in the same room as your baby
• Don’t share a bed with your baby if you smoke, have drunk alcohol, have taken drugs, are extremely tired, or if your baby was born prematurely or was of low birth weight
• Never sleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair
• Don’t let your baby get too hot or cold
• Keep your baby’s head uncovered. Their blanket should be tucked in no higher than their shoulders
• Place your baby in the ‘feet to foot’ position, with their feet at the end of the cot or moses basket.

More information is available on the Health for Under 5s website and the Lullaby Trust  has some really good information for parents, carers and helping to reduce the risk of SIDS.

You can also read the Strategy to Support Healthy Pregnancy, Birth and Babies in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland 2019-2024.