NYSCP Safer Sleep for Babies - North Yorkshire

Worried about a child?
Make a Referral

Click here

Safer Sleep for Babies

Safer Sleep for Babies

Every year in the UK 300 babies die suddenly and unexpectedly in their sleep.  While there is no advice which can guarantee the prevention of sudden and unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), also referred to as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), there are a number of things you can do to reduce the risk to your baby both at nap time and bed time;

Things you can do to reduce the risk to your baby

Check their sleeping position and environment

  • The safest place for your baby to sleep for the first six months of their life, is in the same room as you in a separate cot or Moses basket
  • Make sure the cot or Moses basket has a firm flat mattress which is in good condition
  • Always place your baby on their back with their feet at the bottom of the cot or Moses Basket
  • Don’t cover your baby’s face or head or use loose bedding whilst they are sleeping
  • Make sure you remove any toys or cot bumpers

Check the room temperature

  • Overheating can increase the risk of SUDI, avoid letting your baby get too hot
  • The ideal temperature for your sleeping baby is between 16 – 20 degrees
  • The best place to check if your baby is too warm is on their tummy or the back of their neck
  • Your baby does not need to wear a hat indoors

Ensure a smoke free environment

  • Babies who are exposed to smoke before and after birth have a much higher chance of SUDI compared to babies who are kept smoke free

Prevent and Protect

This video from the Lullaby Trust shows how you can reduce the risk of SIDS. The advice is based on strong scientific evidence and should be followed for all sleep periods, not just at night.

  • Be aware that drinking alcohol or taking any drugs, this includes prescription drugs that can make you drowsy, can impair your ability to wake up if your baby needs you
  • Do not sleep in the same bed with your baby if you or anyone in the bed has recently smoked, drank alcohol or taken drugs, this includes prescription drugs that can make you drowsy
  • Never sleep on a sofa or in an armchair with your baby, the risk of SUDI increase by 50%
  • Do not sleep in the same bed with your baby if you are extremely tired, if your baby was born prematurely or was of a low birth-weight under 2.5kg or 5 ½ lbs

Safer Sleep Guides for Parents, Carers and Professionals

Safer Sleep for Babies Parent/Carer Guide

Safer Sleep from Day One

Safer Sleep from Day One – Professional Guide

To access more resources and learn more about ways of reducing the associated factors with SUDI/SIDS please visit www.lullabytrust.org.uk or speak to your Midwife or Health Visitor.

Image

Resource Library

Find the latest forms, guidance, tools and documents to help you safeguard children in North Yorkshire by searching in our resource library

More

Our latest news

24 Apr 2025

Being Young in North Yorkshire (2025-28)

Being Young in North Yorkshire (2025-28) The North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership are excited to share our new Being Young...

Read More
10 Apr 2025

Leaders Unlocked: The Long Game

Leaders Unlocked: The Long Game Leaders Unlocked are offering free workshops on avoiding county lines as part of Phase 2 of...

Read More
03 Apr 2025

Prevent in Education Virtual Sessions from the DfE

Prevent in Education Virtual Sessions from the DfE Prevent in Education Virtual Sessions from the DfE Over the forthcoming year...

Read More
01 Apr 2025

Harmful Sexual Behaviour Strategy Launch Learning Event – 2nd April

Harmful Sexual Behaviour Strategy Launch Learning Event – 2nd April The Business Unit for North Yorkshire’s Safeguarding Children Partnership would...

Read More
MoreView all our news