Reducing the risk of SIDS
It's not known why some babies die suddenly and for no apparent reason from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or cot death.
Experts do know placing a baby to sleep on their back reduces the risk, and exposing a baby to cigarette smoke or allowing them to overheat increases the risk.
It's also known there's an association between sleeping with your baby on a bed, sofa or chair (co-sleeping) and SIDS.
Follow the advice below to reduce the risks as much as possible.
How to reduce the risk of SIDS
- Place your baby on their back to sleep, in a cot in the same room as you, for the first 6 months.
- Don't smoke during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and don't let anyone smoke in the same room as your baby.
- If wearing your baby in a sling or carrier, do not cover their head with the sling material or with a muslin
- Never sleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair.
- Don't let your baby get too hot or cold.
- Keep your baby's head uncovered. Their blanket should be tucked in no higher than their shoulders.
- Place your baby in the "feet to foot" position, with their feet at the end of the cot or moses basket.
Place your baby on their back to sleep
Place your baby on their back to sleep from the very beginning for both day and night sleeps. This will reduce the risk of cot death.
It's not as safe for babies to sleep on their side or tummy as on their back.
Once your baby's old enough to roll over, there's no need to worry if they turn onto their tummy or side while sleeping.
Be safe if you share a bed with your baby
If you share a bed with your baby (co-sleeping), you should:
- make sure they sleep on a firm, flat mattress lying on their back
- not have any pillows or duvets near them
- not have other children or pets in the bed at the same time
It's important not to share a bed with your baby if they had a low birthweight (less than 2.5kg or 5.5lb) or if you or your partner:
- smoke (no matter where or when you smoke and even if you never smoke in bed)
- have had 2 or more units of alcohol
- have taken recreational drugs
- have taken medicine that causes drowsiness
Never sleep with a baby on a sofa or armchair
It's lovely to have your baby with you for a cuddle or a feed, but sleeping with your baby on a sofa or armchair is linked to a higher risk of SIDS.
It's safest to put your baby back in their cot before you go to sleep.
Don’t let anyone smoke in the same room as your baby
Babies exposed to cigarette smoke before and after birth are at an increased risk of SIDS. Don't let anyone smoke in the house, including visitors.
Ask anyone who needs to smoke to go outside. Don't take your baby into smoky places.
If you're a smoker, sharing a bed with your baby increases the risk of cot death.
Don't let your baby get too hot or too cold
Overheating can increase the risk of SIDS. Babies can overheat because of too much bedding or clothing, or because the room's too hot.
- When you check your baby, make sure they're not too hot. If your baby's sweating or their tummy feels hot to the touch, take off some of the bedding. Don't worry if their hands or feet feel cool – this is normal.
- It's easier to adjust for the temperature by using layers of lightweight blankets. Remember, a folded blanket counts as 2 blankets. Lightweight, well-fitting baby sleeping bags are a good choice, too.
- Babies don't need hot rooms. All-night heating is rarely necessary. Keep the room at a temperature that's comfortable for you at night – about 18C (65F) is ideal.
- If it's very warm, your baby may not need any bedclothes other than a sheet.
- Even in winter, most babies who are unwell or feverish don't need extra clothes.
- Babies should never sleep with a hot water bottle or electric blanket, next to a radiator, heater or fire, or in direct sunshine.
- Babies lose excess heat through their heads, so make sure their heads can't be covered by bedclothes while they're asleep.
- Remove hats and extra clothing as soon as you come indoors or enter a warm car, bus or train, even if it means waking your baby.
Don’t let your baby’s head become covered
Babies whose heads are covered with bedding are at an increased risk of SIDS.
To prevent your baby wriggling down under the covers, place them in the "feet to foot" position. This means their feet are at the end of the crib, cot or Moses basket.
How to put your baby in the 'feet to foot' position
- Tuck the covers in securely under your baby's arms so they can't slip over their head. Use 1 or more layers of lightweight blankets.
- Use a baby mattress that's firm, flat, well-fitting, clean and waterproof on the outside. Cover the mattress with a single sheet.
- Don't use duvets, quilts, baby nests, wedges, bedding rolls or pillows.
Feeding, dummies and SIDS
Breastfeeding your baby reduces the risk of SIDS.
It's possible using a dummy at the start of a sleep also reduces the risk of SIDS. But the evidence isn't strong and not all experts agree that dummies should be promoted.
If you do use a dummy, don't start until breastfeeding is well established. This is usually when they're around 1 month old.
Stop giving them the dummy when they're between 6 and 12 months old.
If your baby is unwell, seek medical help promptly
Babies often have minor illnesses that you don't need to worry about.
Give your baby plenty of fluids to drink and don't let them get too hot. If your baby sleeps a lot, wake them up regularly for a drink.
It can be difficult to judge whether an illness is more serious and needs urgent medical attention.
See Spotting the signs of serious illness for guidance on when to get help.
Last Updated: 27/06/2023 13:30:10
The information on this page has been adapted by NHS Wales from original content supplied by
NHS website
nhs.uk