#SaferSleepWeek - What You Need to Know to Keep Baby Safe in Bed

This week is #SaferSleepWeek, an initiative set up by The Lullaby Trust to help educate parents on the ways to keep baby safe in bed at night, reducing the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

Statistics suggest that a large proportion of new parents are still unaware of the proper ways to lay baby down to sleep. Although this number is significantly lower than previous decades, for example in 1989 the number of babies passing from SIDS was 1,545 per year, as opposed to around 230 now. Although this number has decreased, around half of new parents are unaware of the basic ways to ensure safe sleep.

This animated video from The Lullaby Trust showcases the dos and don’ts of putting baby down to sleep. We’ve also linked some great products to support the points raised in the video, and help you give baby a safer sleep.

Tips in the video include:

• DO always place baby on their back to sleep
• DO keep your baby smoke free during pregnancy and after birth
• DO breastfeed your baby, if you can
• DO place your baby in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first 6 months
• DO use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in a good condition
• DON’T sleep on a sofa or in an armchair with your baby
• DON’T sleep in the same bed as your baby if you have smoked, drunk alcohol or taken medication
• DON’T sleep in the same bed as your baby if you are extremely tired, or if your baby was born prematurely or was of a low birth weight
• DON’T cover your baby’s face or head whilst sleeping, or use loose bedding
• DON’T let your baby get too hot
• To avoid accidents, remove all pillows, soft bedding, cot bumpers and soft toys from the cot
• Remember, the safest place for your baby in the first 6 months is a cot in your room

If you would like to learn more about #SaferSleepWeek, visit The Lullaby Trust's website.