Safe Sleep
For all babies 0-12 months, research recommends six key steps to reduce the risk of sudden infant death (SIDS)
***Key Points***
- Place your baby on their back to sleep
- Keep your baby’s face a head uncovered
- Keep baby smoke free before and after birth
- Safe Sleep Environment
- Sleep your baby, in a cot in your room for 6-12 monthsBreastfeed your baby
***Key Points***
1 Place your baby on their back to sleep
Placing baby on their back to sleep helps keep their airway clear and ensures their protective reflexes work. Sleeping on their back reduces the risk of suffocation, overheating and choking.
2. Keep your baby’s face a head uncovered
You may swaddle your baby but do not swaddle their head and do not place a hat or any head covering on your baby.
This allows their airway to remain clear which reduces the risk of suffocation.
Babies control their temperature through their face and head, so keeping baby’s face and head uncovered during sleep helps reduce the risk of overheating.
3. Keep baby smoke free before and after birth.
Smoking during pregnancy and around baby once they are born increases the risk of sudden infant death – this includes second-hand smoke. If you or your partner smoke, don’t smoke around baby and never smoke where baby sleeps.
Quitline on 13 78 48 have very helpful resources and there never is a better incentive than welcoming a new baby to your family to quit.
4. Safe Sleep Environment
The safest place for baby to sleep is in their own safe space, with a safe mattress, and safe bedding. Baby should always be placed on their back to sleep, with their feet at the bottom of the bassinet or cot.
Loose blankets, doonas, pillows cot bumpers, lambs wool coverings, soft toys like a teddy are not to be placed in your baby cot. Soft items in the cot are dangerous and increase the risk of suffocation and overheating.
5. Sleep your baby, in a cot in your room for 6-12 months
The safest place for baby to sleep is in their own safe space, in the same room as their parents or adult caregiver for the first 6-12 months
6. Breastfeed your baby
Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of sudden infant death.
