Safe sleep for babies

Always put your baby to sleep on their back, in their own cot, on a firm, flat mattress, with no pillow, loose blankets or toys. Keep the cot in your room for at least the first 6 months. These steps lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, which is most likely in the first 6 months but can happen up to the age of one.

Every sleep, the same rule

• On their back, for every sleep, including naps. If they roll onto their front, turn them back, until they can roll both ways on their own.
• Feet to the foot of the cot, so they cannot slip down under the covers.
• A firm, flat mattress, with no pillow, duvet, cot bumpers, loose blankets, soft toys or baby nests.
• In your room, in their own cot or Moses basket, for at least the first 6 months.

Even if someone in the family suggests a small pillow or putting your baby on their side, the safe rule is: on their back, with no pillow.

Not too hot, not too cold

The room is best kept between 16 and 20°C. Do not overdress your baby or cover their head. Check by feeling their chest or the back of their neck: if it is sweaty, take a layer off. Do not put them near a radiator or heater, or in direct sun, and do not use a hot water bottle or electric blanket.

What to avoid

• Never sleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair.
• Do not smoke in pregnancy, and do not let anyone smoke near your baby or in their room.
• Do not let your baby sleep in a car seat for longer than needed. Take them out when you arrive.

If you share a bed with your baby

Many parents bring their baby into bed, on purpose or not. Never do it if:

• you or your partner smoke
• you have drunk alcohol, taken drugs or taken medicine that makes you drowsy
• your baby was born before 37 weeks or weighed under 2.5kg

If you do, lower the risk: a firm mattress, your baby on their back, away from pillows and duvets, not tightly swaddled, no other children or pets in the bed, and never alone in an adult bed.

Things that protect

• breastfeeding, if you can
• a dummy at sleep time, if your baby uses one
• vaccinations on time

For babies born early, follow this advice until one year after their due date, not after the date they were born.

Sources we consulted

• NHS: Reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Written by the mam.al editors as general information. It does not replace advice from your doctor or paediatrician. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.