Safer sleep overview
Our safer sleep advice explains the steps you can take to keep your baby safer, reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
It’s Safer Sleep Week 2025!
Safer Sleep Week 2025: 10 – 16 March
This Safer Sleep Week, The Lullaby Trust is warning families about encouraging babies to sleep for longer and more deeply for their stage of development. Though many products promise to help your baby sleep longer or more deeply, this may affect a baby’s ability to wake up if something is wrong, and may increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Our CEO, Jenny Ward, said: “Many have come to associate a ‘good’ or ‘contented’ baby with one that sleeps uninterrupted, but it is vitally important for families to understand that it is usual and expected for babies under one (or sometimes older) to wake during the night.”
What about sleep deprivation?
We know that coping with lack of sleep as a new parent can be very tough. Your baby will probably wake up often, and it can be hard to stay awake to keep them safe. This Safer Sleep Week, we’re offering tips on not falling asleep in unsafe positions, and help friends or relatives support their loved ones through sleep deprivation.
We’re also launching brand new information on baby sleep patterns, raising awareness of what baby sleep should look like. Parents and carers often worry about their babies’ sleep. You might be tempted to try tips and hacks to get them to sleep longer, but this could be dangerous. We will walk you through what to expect in the first year.
Safer sleep saves lives
As well as understanding a baby’s sleep patterns, it is really important for babies to have their own separate sleep space, and for families to follow The Lullaby Trust’s safer sleep guidance. Jenny added: “We know that greater awareness of safer sleep leads to a decrease in the numbers of babies dying. Sadly, around four babies a week still die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and if all families were aware of safer sleep advice, many lives could be saved.”
Safer sleep advice is life-saving, but only when it reaches families. You can help this Safer Sleep Week by sharing our posts on social media (@LullabyTrust), talking to new or expectant parents about safer sleep, or donating today.
A donation of £27 could pay for six families to receive a guide with advice on how to sleep their baby more safely. With you by our side, we take one step closer to a future where no baby dies suddenly or unexpectedly.
Discover more
Leanne’s story
Leanne lives in Barnsley, with her husband Nick, seven month old Ralph, and her dog Wendy. She has used The Lullaby Trust guidance to sleep Ralph more safely.
Camila’s story
Camila lives in Surrey with her partner James, her 12-year-old stepson Ben, and her six-month-old daughter Sophia.
Lucy’s story
Lucy is a solo mum to her two daughters, Polly (five years) and Bessie (ten months).
Sleep deprivation
Coping with sleep deprivation as a new parent or carer can be tough. Your baby will probably wake up often and it can be hard to stay awake to keep them safe. You’re not alone.
Baby sleep patterns
Parents and carers often worry about their babies’ sleep and might try tips or hacks to get them to sleep longer, but these can be dangerous. Learn more about what to expect and baby sleep patterns.