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.
Un co-sleeping plus sûr
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-sommeil
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 ne toujours 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.
Questions fréquemment posées
Se souvenir
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.
Chaque bébé est en sécurité. Chaque famille est soutenue.
Si ces informations vous ont été utiles, pensez à faire un don aujourd'hui pour nous aider à atteindre et à aider le prochain parent ou aidant, comme vous. Votre gentillesse nous permettra de :
- Donner aux familles des conseils fiables pour assurer la sécurité de leur bébé
- Soutenir les familles en deuil pendant les jours les plus sombres de leur vie
- Financer la recherche pour trouver des réponses aux décès soudains et inattendus de bébés et de jeunes enfants
- Faites un pas de plus vers un monde où aucun bébé ne meurt de façon soudaine ou inattendue.
État d'avancement du réexamen
A propos des révisions et des mises à jour de nos informations