There are many things to consider when creating your baby’s sleep space to ensure it is safe. The following links provide detailed information to support your decisions about which is the right choice for your family. It is useful to think which sleep environment you intend for your baby to sleep: a flatbed pushchair, a Moses basket, a cot, or in your bed.There are safety considerations for all of the above environments such as where to lay in the cot/bed and what bedding to use. There are times when it is not recommended that the baby be in your bed.
Key points to remember
Regardless of sleep space the following should be followed:
Your baby sleeps in the same room as you for all sleeps for at least the first 6 months.
Always place your baby on their back to sleep, not their front or side.
The bedding is not able to cover baby’s face and head.
The sleep space should in a clear, no toys or bumpers.
The mattress should be flat and firm with no raised or cushioned areas.
Soft beds, bean bags, pillows, pods, nests, sleep positioners; sagging mattresses are not suitable sleep environments.
Avoid the baby becoming too hot, the room environment should be between 16-20°C and head should not be covered with a hat. If the weather is hot, the amount of clothing and bedding will need to be adjusted to avoid overheating.
Keep baby’s environment smoke-free before and after birth.
Breastfeeding is protective, the more you feed the greater the protection.
Never sleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair.
If your baby is sleeping flatbed pushchair, Moses basket or cot, place your baby’s feet to the foot end.
If you decide to, or think you may share the bed with your baby, it is important to consider the following points:
Keep your baby away from the pillows.
Make sure your baby cannot fall out of bed or become trapped between mattress and wall.
Make sure the bed clothes cannot cover your baby face or head.
Remain with your baby, even very healthy babies can wriggle into a dangerous position if left alone.
When it isn’t safe to share a bed with your baby:
It is not safe to bed-share in the early months if your baby was born very small or preterm.
Do not sleep with your baby when you have been drinking any alcohol or taking drugs that may cause drowsiness (legal or illegal).
Do not sleep with your baby if you or anyone else who shares the room is a smoker.
You can get further information from your midwife or health visitor and read the links below.
There are many things to consider when creating your baby’s sleep space to ensure it is safe. The following links provide detailed information to support your decisions about which is the right choice for your family. It is useful to think which sleep environment you intend for your baby to sleep: a flatbed pushchair, a Moses basket, a cot, or in your bed.
There are safety considerations for all of the above environments such as where to lay in the cot/bed and what bedding to use. There are times when it is not recommended that the baby be in your bed.
