Safer sleep for babies: the basics

Following this advice for every sleep, day and night, reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS, previously known as cot death). Our safer sleep advice has saved the lives of over 30,000 babies since 1991.

The safest place for a baby to sleep is in their own clear, flat, firm separate sleep space (e.g. a cot or Moses basket) in the same room as you.

  1. Lie your baby on their back.
  2. Keep their cot clear.
  3. Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress.
  4. Keep baby smoke-free.
  5. Avoid your baby getting too hot.
  6. Sleep your baby in the same room as you for at least the first six months.
A baby is breastfeeding. They are clutching onto their mother's t-shirt and wear a light yellow top. The mum has the hand gently placed on the baby's head.

Room temperature

Make sure that your baby’s room is a comfortable temperature. Try to keep the room temperature between 16 – 20°C. The risk of SIDS is higher in babies who get too hot. Monitor your baby’s room temperature with a room thermometer. You can purchase one from our shop.

Breastfeeding

Breastmilk contains all the nutrients your baby needs for the first six months of life. Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

The ABCs of safer sleep. These depict that for safer sleep, a baby should always sleep on their back, in a clear cot space. There are illustrations of babies sleeping safely, and a clear cot.

The ABCs of safer sleep

Always sleep your baby on their back in a clear cot or sleeping space.

The safest cot is a clear cot

The safest cot for a baby is a clear cot. That means removing anything that isn’t essential. Babies need just two items in their cot:

  • A firm, flat, waterproof mattress.
  • Lightweight bedding. 

It’s important to remove anything that isn’t essential because items such as toys, blankets and bumpers could cover their face and obstruct their breathing.

When preparing your baby’s sleep space, remember:

  • No pillows or duvets 
  • No cot bumpers  
  • No soft toys or comforters  
  • No weighted or bulky bedding 
  • No products designed to keep your baby in one sleeping position, such as wedges or straps  
  • No pods or nests, rolled up towels or anything soft placed on top of the mattress. 
A dad is at face-level with a baby in a cot. The baby is smiling and playing with his beard.

Room sharing with your baby

Have your baby sleeping in the same room as you for at least the first six months, day and night. The risk of SIDS is lower when your baby sleeps in the same room as you, compared to having them sleep alone.

This doesn’t mean you can’t leave the room to make a cup of tea or go to the toilet, but they’re safest if you’re close by most of the time. It means you can keep an eye on them and attend to them if they need anything.

A baby is being fastened into a car seat by their parent. They have light skin, a small amount of light hair and are looking to the side, smiling at their parent.

Smoking and your baby

The risk of SIDS is much higher if you or your partner smoke whilst you're pregnant, or after your baby is born.

Routine

Creating a sleep-preparation routine that follows our advice on safer sleep for babies can help safer sleep become habit. It can seem challenging to follow when you are very tired, and it may be tempting to do something different. Routine is key and doing something differently to what you’d usually do can be unsafe. For example, babies who are normally slept on their backs but sometimes slept on their fronts are at higher risk of SIDS.

Close up of a baby in a car seat. You can see their mouth and the car seat buckled across their blue t-shirt. They are playing with the plastic around the buckle.

Safer baby products

There are so many products out there that it’s hard to know which are safest for your baby to sleep in. We’re here to help with mattresses and bedding, car seats, slings and swaddling, dummies, baby monitors and second hand baby products.

A dad and baby are playing together with colourful blocks. Dad is smiling and the baby's tongue is slightly stuck out in concentration. The baby. Both have dark hair and a brown skin tone, and the baby wears a blue top.

Remember

It’s never too early to start preparing a safer sleep space for your little one’s arrival. You may find lots of mixed advice both online and offline, but our advice is backed by decades of research that has saved over 30,000 babies’ lives since 1991. Creating a safer sleep environment is one of the most important steps you can take as a parent for your baby’s safety, giving your little one the best start for restful, safer sleep.

Every baby safe. Every family supported.

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Learn more

We're here to keep babies safe by empowering families and professionals with trusted advice.

An adult hand is holding a baby's hand. Both have light skin tones.

What is sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)?

Here, we explain all we know about sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS, previously known as cot death). Including the causes, risk factors, how you can prevent SIDS and our SIDS research.

A young baby is in a swaddle next to their empty cot (safer sleep). The baby is being held by their mother who is settling the baby to sleep on their armchair.

Safer sleep information

Safer sleep reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS, previously known as cot death) occurring. Follow this expert advice until your child is 12 months old.

A baby is in a baby carrier attached to their dad's chest. They are looking around. It is a safer position for baby as their airway is clear and dad could kiss baby's head if he tried.

Baby product information

We're here to help you make sense of baby products and baby product safety, empowering you to make decisions for your baby.

A baby is crying in their mum's arms. They are sat on a sofa and the mum has a baby toy and laptop next to her. There is also the family dog laying on the back of the sofa.

Being a parent or caregiver

Here, we guide you through safer sleep from day one, sleep deprivation, and help discuss safer sleep with loved ones who also care for your baby.

A baby is getting one of their early vaccinations. They are sucking their thumb as the nurse inserts a needle into their arm, administering the vaccine. They are being held by a parent.

Infection and illness in babies

Babies have immature immune systems, so they're at risk from infections. Here we explain the signs and symptoms to look out for in babies, and how to prevent infections in babies.

A baby is sleeping in on their back, with their head tilted to the side. They have dark hair, light skin and wear a polkadot baby grow. Their arms are rested either side of their head.

Travel and weather

Hot or cold weather or staying away from home, particularly if unplanned, can make safer sleep trickier. Our expert information offers tips and advice, giving you peace of mind.

A baby is sleeping on their back in their cot with a dummy in their mouth. They have a medium skin tone and their mum has her hand on their chest.

Premature babies, twins and multiples

Babies born prematurely or low birth weight are particularly vulnerable to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). And what does safer sleep look like for twins or multiples?

A picture of the ABC's of safer sleep card

Baby safety resources

Our baby safety resources are useful when printing out our information or to learn about safer sleep in even more detail.