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.
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 31,951 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 ایک ہی کمرہ as you.
- Lie your baby on their back.
- Keep their cot clear.
- Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress.
- Keep baby smoke-free.
- Avoid your baby getting too hot.
- Sleep your baby in the ایک ہی کمرہ as you for at least the first six months.
کمرے کا درجہ حرارت
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.
دودھ پلانا
Breastmilk contains all the nutrients your baby needs for the first six months of life. دودھ پلانا also reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
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.
Room sharing with your baby
Have your baby sleeping in the ایک ہی کمرہ 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.
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.
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.
Safer sleep resources for parents and carers
Our expert resources help to explain safer sleep in more detail, empowering you to make informed decisions for your baby.
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Safer sleep for babies: a guide for parents
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Safer sleep advice for premature babies
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Safer sleep in emergency situations
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Safer sleep product guide
A guide to safer sleep essentials, products to avoid and sorting the science from the marketing
یاد رکھیں
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 31,951 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.
ہر بچہ محفوظ۔ ہر خاندان نے ساتھ دیا۔
اگر آپ کو یہ معلومات کارآمد لگی تو غور کریں۔ آج عطیہ آپ کی طرح اگلے والدین یا دیکھ بھال کرنے والے تک ہماری مدد کرنے اور مدد کرنے کے لیے۔ آپ کی مہربانی ہوگی:
Learn more
We're here to keep babies safe by empowering families and professionals with trusted advice.
محفوظ نیند کی معلومات
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.
بچے کی مصنوعات کی معلومات
We're here to help you make sense of baby products and baby product safety, empowering you to make decisions for your baby.
والدین یا دیکھ بھال کرنے والا ہونا
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.
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.
سفر اور موسم
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.
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?
بچے کی حفاظت کے وسائل
Our baby safety resources are useful when printing out our information or to learn about safer sleep in even more detail.
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