Safer Sleep

Sudden Infant Death syndrome (SIDs), is the sudden and unexpected death of an infant where no cause could be found.

Safer Sleep

While we cannot completely remove all risk of SIDs, there are some things we can do to help to prevent it:

• Place your baby on their back to sleep, in a cot in the same room as you for the first 6 months.
• Keep your baby’s head uncovered, blankets should be tucked no higher than the shoulders.
• If you’re using a sling or carrier, do not cover their head with the sling material or muslin.
• Place your baby in the ‘feet to foot’ position, this means their feet are at the end of the crib, cot or moses basket.
• Breastfeeding can be protective for your baby, even for a short time, whether exclusively or partially. Find out more about support for breastfeeding and the Doncaster’s Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme on the Doncaster Health Visitors Breastfeeding page

Co-Sleeping

The safest place for a baby to sleep is in their own clear, flat, separate sleep space, such as a cot or Moses basket. However we know some families preference is to bed share. If you intend to bed share, speak to your midwife or health visitor about ways to do this safely. You can also read more on safer co-sleeping on the Lullaby Trust page.

There are some occasions where co-sleeping is never recommended. If any of the following apply to you or your partner, then co-sleeping with your baby could be very dangerous.

• Either you or your partner smokes (even if you do not smoke in the bedroom)
• Either you or your partner has drunk alcohol or taken drugs (including medications that may make you drowsy)
• Your baby was born premature (before 37 weeks)
• Your baby was born at a low weight (2.5kg or 5½ lbs or less)

There are also some things we should avoid:

• Don’t let your baby get too hot or too cold - You should have received your free thermometer from your midwife, this is a good way to check the temperature of your home or babies room! If you no longer have your thermometer, get in touch with your Health Visitor or local Family Hub.
• Do not smoke during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and do not let anyone smoke in the same room as your baby. If you or someone else needs support to quit smoking, speak to your health visitor or take a look at our Stopping Smoking page for information on support available.

More information on safer sleep can be found on the NHS website or through the Lullaby trust:

• How to reduce the risk of SIDS for your baby - The Lullaby Trust
• Reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
• Swaddling your baby and using slings - The Lullaby Trust
• Baby slings - RoSPA

Keeping baby safe this winter

We know that the winter months, particularly in the current cost of living crisis, many families may struggle to keep their homes and babies warm.

In these times, it can be tempting to wrap your baby up to keep them warm, however, we know that making a baby too warm can increase the risk of SIDs.

More information on safe sleep for babies this winter can be found on the Lullaby Trust webpage.

Links to useful webpages and services:

• Safer sleep in winter - The Lullaby Trust
• Health Visiting Services
• Family Hubs
• Maternity Hub

Support available to families this winter:

• Information to support families through the cost of living crisis, including Energy Bills Support, Food Banks, and Healthy Homes, can be found on the Your Life Doncaster Cost of Living page.
• Get help to buy milk, fruit and vitamins through the Healthy Start Scheme visit our web page to find out more information Healthy Start
• The Lullaby Trust Product guide

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