Safer sleep advice for parents

The following advice is from the Lullaby Trust and features useful information about new parents around the safe sleeping of their baby. Find out more here.

This safer sleep advice gives simple steps for how you can sleep your baby to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) which is commonly known as cot death. It can give you the peace of mind to enjoy this special time.

The advice is based on strong scientific evidence and should be followed for all sleep periods, not just at night.

How to sleep your baby more safely

Coronavirus and caring for your baby

The Lullaby Trust have put together the latest advice on coronavirus for if you are pregnant or have a young child. Find out more here.

The best sleeping position for your baby

You should always place your baby on their back to sleep and not on their front or side.

Sleeping your baby on their back (known as the supine position) every night is one of the most protective actions you can take to ensure your baby is sleeping as safely as possible.

There is substantial evidence from around the world to show that sleeping your baby on their back at the beginning of every sleep or nap (day and night) significantly reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Find out more: The best sleeping position for your baby

Sharing a room with your baby

The safest place for your baby to sleep is a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first 6 months, even during the day. 

Place your baby to sleep in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first 6 months, even during the day.

A large study of evidence from across Europe found that the risk of sudden infant death was significantly reduced when the infant slept in the same room, but not the same bed, as the parents.

• The safest place for your baby to sleep for the first 6 months is in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you
• The chance of SIDS is lower when babies sleep in a separate cot in the same room as their parents

Find out more: Sharing a room with your baby

The best mattresses and bedding for your baby

With so many products on the market, it can be easy to get confused about what babies should sleep in or on. Remember, the safest mattresses for your baby are firm and flat and protected by a waterproof cover The safest place for your baby to sleep is on their own sleep surface, in the same room as you, for at least the first six months. A Moses basket or cot is a safe place for a baby to sleep. Take a look at our product guide for help selecting bedding for your baby.

Find out more: The best mattresses and bedding for your baby

Visit the Lullaby Trust website to find out more about safe sleeping for your baby.