Sleeping away from home with a baby
Trying to get your baby to sleep away from home can be tricky. You might be out of your normal routine or staying somewhere new. But whether you’re on holiday, visiting friends and family, or simply need to be away from home, it’s important to follow safer sleep guidelines for every sleep. Do this day and night – just like you would at home.
Following safer sleep guidelines will help your baby sleep safely, so you can sleep soundly and enjoy your trip. If you have been unable to plan ahead and have had to flee from conflict or crisis, read our information on safer sleep during emergency or unplanned situations.
Cots, travel cots or Moses baskets are ideal sleep spaces for travel
Packing for babies can be difficult as they need so much equipment and you will probably have limited space.
If you don’t have one, sometimes hotels and accommodation do, so call ahead to see what they offer.
If you don’t have access, safer sleep in a pram or while co-sleeping are potential options, but there are a few things you need to know first.
Safer sleep in a pram
You might be able to use your pram as a baby sleep space when you’re away from home, and it can be helpful it you’re short on space too. However check you can answer yes to all these questions:
- Is the pram’s sleep space completely flat?
- Is the mattress firm and waterproof with no cushioned or raised edges?
- Can the pram hood be pulled back?
- Can the cover (apron) be removed?
The sides of a pram carrycot may trap more heat than a regular cot, so keep an eye on your baby’s temperature and adjust their clothes and bedding so they don’t get too hot. To check their temperature, feel their chest or the back of their neck. If they feel sweaty or clammy that means they’re too hot.
Safer co-sleeping
The safest place for a baby to sleep is in their own separate sleep space, with a firm flat mattress, clear of extra items toys and pillows. This helps to lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). But if you do decide to bed-share with your baby, there are things you can do to make it safer.
- Move all adult bedding such as duvets and pillows away away from your baby so they have a clear, flat space to sleep on.
- Make sure the mattress is firm and flat.
- Lay the baby near the middle of the bed so they can’t roll out or get trapped between the mattress and the wall.
- Remove the headboard if it has any gaps, for example, if it has slats, so the baby can’t get stuck.
- Only have one infant in the bed at a time, and no pets.
When not to co-sleep
There are situations when it’s not safe to share a sleep space with your baby. Avoid bed-sharing if:
- Your baby was born prematurely (before 37 weeks).
- Your baby weighed under 2.5kg or 5.5 pounds at birth.
- Anyone in the bed smokes, even if they don’t smoke in the bedroom, or the baby was exposed to smoking in pregnancy.
- Anyone in the bed has drunk alcohol or taken drugs or medicines that make them sleepy.
In these situations, it’s always safest to put your baby in their own safe sleep space, such as a cot or Moses basket – keeping it next to your bed might make it easier.
Never fall asleep on a sofa or armchair with your baby
The risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is 50 times higher for babies when they sleep on a sofa or armchair with an adult. They could also slip into a position where they are trapped and can’t breathe. If you feel like you might drift off, it’s safest to place your baby down on a firm, flat surface.
Where not to sleep
Babies need to sleep on a firm, flat surface, which means some spaces are not safe even though they might seem comfortable. Avoid these for sleep – whether that’s a day time nap or night time sleep:
- Pods, bouncers or swings, as the baby can slump which affects their airways (ability to breathe).
- Armchairs and sofas.
- Car seats –only use these for transport – they’re not designed for sleeping indoors.
Plan ahead for sleep away from home
Many hotels and other holiday accommodations provide cots but they don’t always follow safer sleep guidelines. It’s a good idea to call ahead to see what they offer.
A cot should have:
- A firm, flat, waterproof mattress.
- A well-fitting mattress (no gaps) – with no gaps between the mattress and the sides of the cot.
- No cot bumpers of soft items in the cot.
- A rigid, firm base.
- No damage to the cot.
Don’t use bulky bedding such as quilts, duvets, pillows or weighted blankets as they can cause overheating.
Make sure the cot is placed away from any radiators, windows and or air conditioning to help them stay at an ideal body temperature.
Frequently asked questions
If you have a car seat, don’t let your baby stay in it for long, especially if they’re very young or were premature. Car seats are designed to keep babies safe while travelling and protect them in an accident, not as a main sleeping place.
It’s OK if your baby falls asleep in the car while you’re driving, but take them out as soon as you get to your destination and place them onto a firm, flat surface to sleep.
It is important to make sure that your baby is at a comfortable temperature – not too hot or too cold. The ideal room temperature for a baby is between 16 – 20°C.
If the room temperature is very warm, it’s fine for baby to sleep wearing just a nappy. If the room is very cold, avoid wrapping them up too much as overheating is puts them at a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It’s better for babies to be a bit cooler than to be too hot.
Check your baby’s temperature by feeling their chest or the back of their neck, not their hands or feet. If they’re sweaty or clammy, they’re too hot.
Babies don’t need hats indoors. It’s important to keep your baby’s head uncovered, so they can lose heat from their heads if they get hot.
It is important not to feel tempted to wrap an unwell baby up more than usual.
Remember
A little planning can help your baby sleep safely and soundly, no matter where you are. Following safer sleep advice when you’re away, just like you would at home, will help lower any risks so you can enjoy your trip.
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