Co-sleeping

Ideally babies should always sleep in their own cot, crib or pram. Some families will choose to co-sleep with their babies. Co-sleeping is sharing a bed with a baby as they sleep.

If you choose to co-sleep, you can make it safer by;

• Not sleeping on a sofa or armchair with your baby
• Making sure your baby is sleeping in a clear space beside you
• Using a baby sleeping bag instead of loose bedding, like pillows, sheets or blankets
• Not letting pets or other children sleep in the bed
• Making sure your baby won't fall out or get trapped between the mattress and a wall.

You should never co-sleep if;

• You or your partner smokes
• You or your partner has drunk alcohol or taken drugs
• You or your partner has taken prescribed medication that might make you feel drowsy
• You are extremely tired
• Your baby was premature (born at 37 weeks or earlier) or your baby had a low birth weight (5 1/2 pounds or less).

Sleeping Position

All babies should sleep on their back.

• Unless your baby is being cared for on a neonatal unit with special monitoring your baby should sleep on their back.
• Babies should not sleep on their side or tummy.
• If your baby falls asleep in a different position you should move them on to their back immediately – even if it wakes them up.

Friends and family may tell you they put their baby to sleep in different position. We now know for sure this is not safe and you should not do it unless advised by a specialist doctor.

Sleep Space

• Your baby should sleep in a cot / crib or pram designed for a baby.
• It should have a firm, close fitting mattress.
• Your baby’s feet should touch the ‘foot ’(bottom) of the cot. This will stop them wriggling under covers.
• Bedding should only come up to their armpits.
• Cots should not have pillows, bumpers, toys or loose bedding. 
• It is safest for your baby to sleep in the same room as you for the first six months – both day and night. This should always be in a Moses basket / cot or pram.
• The room temperature should be 16-20 degrees centigrade so your baby does not get too hot. 
• Babies should not sleep for longer than 2 hours in a car seat. Make regular stops for your baby to have time out of their car seat.

Never let your baby fall asleep on their own, or with you on a sofa or chair. This increases the chance of SIDS.

This can happen accidentally when you are very tired. Try to plan ahead so that you have somewhere close by to put your baby down to sleep safely.

Monitor Wires

When your baby is small you may have baby monitors, grow eggs or other electronic devices to keep help keep them safe. As your baby gets more active; pulling to stand, reaching; becoming inquisitive and exploring the world, their needs change.

When they reach this stage, it is important to think about moving the cot away from electrical wires and leads to prevent accidents. Remember - what kept your tiny baby safe can be dangerous for toddlers.

Smoke Free

This means their parents and carers do not smoke and babies are not around others who are smoking or in rooms where people have smoked.

• If you would like help to stop smoking you can get in touch with Smokefree Norfolk for support, or call Just One Norfolk to speak to a health professional.
• Until you quit, always smoke outside at a distance from your baby. Wash your hands and change outer clothes before going back to your baby.
• Make sure friends and family know your ‘smoke free’ rules. This is important for your baby’s health and safety.
• If you and / or your partner smoke you should never share a bed with your baby. This is because SIDS is 10 times more likely with a smoking parent.

Experts say that if all expectant parents were able to stop smoking and continued not to smoke after the baby was born, the rate of SIDS could be halved.

When Baby Starts to Roll

When Baby Won't Sleep

Using Baby Slings and Carriers Safely

If you are thinking about using a sling or carrier for your baby, it is important to learn how to use it safely.

Hands-free breastfeeding or bottle feeding, where you move around and do other jobs while your baby feeds, is never safe. It is particularly dangerous for babies under four months old, or those born prematurely or with a health condition. If your baby needs to be fed, take them out of the sling while they feed.

If a baby's airway is blocked while being carried in a sling, there is a risk of death, so it is essential that you follow the guidelines to ensure that your baby is safe. A baby's airway could become blocked by their chin resting on their chest, or when their mouth and nose are covered by the parent's skin or clothes.

The TICKS guidance below can help you make sure your baby can breathe easily and is not overheating:

• Tight - slings and carriers should be tight enough to hug your baby close to you as this will be most comfortable for you both. Any slack/loose fabric will allow your baby to slump down in the carrier which can hinder their breathing and pull on your back.
• In view at all times - you should always be able to see your baby’s face by simply glancing down. The fabric of a sling or carrier should not close around them so you have to open it to check on them. In a cradle position your baby should face upwards, not be turned in towards your body. 
• Close enough to kiss - your baby’s head should be as close to your chin as is comfortable. By tipping your head forward you should be able to kiss your baby on the head or forehead. 
• Keep chin off the chest - a baby should never be curled so their chin is forced onto their chest as this can restrict their breathing. Ensure there is always a space of at least a finger width under your baby’s chin.
• Supported back -  in an upright carry, a baby should be held comfortably close to the wearer so their back is supported in its natural position and their tummy and chest are against you. If a sling is too loose they can slump which can partially close their airway. (This can be tested by placing a hand on your baby’s back and pressing gently - they should not uncurl or move closer to you.) A baby in a cradle carry in a pouch or ring sling should be positioned carefully with their bottom in the deepest part, so the sling does not fold them in half pressing their chin to their chest.

More information about using slings safely

How to Swaddle Your Baby More Safely

Swaddling a baby is where you wrap your baby up snugly in fabric. It can help to sooth and calm a young baby, but there is a risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) if it is not done safely.

You can help to keep your baby safe by following these guidelines:

• Sleep our baby on their back - this is the safest position, whether they are swaddled or not
• Use thin swaddling materials such as a muslin or a cot sheet. Don't use blankets to swaddle your baby as they could overheat
• Use the minimum amount of clothing and keep their head uncovered
• Check your baby's temperature to make sure they are not too hot - the chest or back of the neck is a good place to check
• Keep an eye on the room temperature - it should be between 16 to 20 degrees Celsius.
• Swaddle your baby securely, but leave some room to move around the hips.  Wrap them up gently but securely so the fabric can’t come apart or undone. Do not swaddle above their shoulders to reduce the risk of your baby’s face getting covered by loose material. But make sure the swaddle has enough room for your baby to breathe.Keep swaddles looser around the hips to allow for natural movement. If they are too tight, this can cause hip problems.
• Never swaddle your baby when bed-sharing, or if they have an infection or fever. 
• Once your baby shows signs of rolling, stop swaddling them with their arms wrapped inside the material. This will allow them to use their arms to roll back again if they roll onto their tummy.