Safe sleep, the essentials
The few things that matter most, kept clear and calm, with a trustworthy place to read more.
5 minute read
The short version
- Always place your baby on their back to sleep, for naps and at night.
- Use a clear, firm, flat sleep surface with no pillows, duvets, bumpers or soft toys.
- Share a room, not a bed, for at least the first six months.
- Keep your baby smoke-free and avoid overheating.
Back to sleep, every time
The single most important thing is position: place your baby on their back for every sleep, day and night. Once a baby can roll both ways independently they will find their own position, but you keep starting them on their back.
Back sleeping is strongly associated with a lower risk of sudden infant death, and it is the foundation all the other advice sits on.
A clear, flat, firm space
- A firm, flat mattress that fits the cot or Moses basket with no gaps
- No pillows, duvets, cot bumpers, pods or soft toys in the sleep space
- Feet to foot: baby's feet near the end of the cot, blankets tucked no higher than the shoulders, or use a baby sleeping bag
- Nothing that could cover the face or overheat your baby
Clear and simple is the goal. The cot does not need to look styled to be right; it needs to be empty.
Room sharing and temperature
Sleeping your baby in their own clear space in your room for at least the first six months is linked with lower risk. Keep the room at a comfortable temperature, dress your baby for the warmth rather than the season, and check they are not too hot.
Safer sleep is mostly about taking things out of the cot, not adding them.
Where to read more
Guidance is best taken from a single trusted, current source. The Lullaby Trust offers clear, evidence-based safer sleep advice, and your health visitor can talk it through with you. If you ever plan to feed in bed or are very tired, ask about how to do so as safely as possible.
Safer sleep, answered
What is the safest sleeping position for my baby?
On their back, for every sleep. This is associated with a significantly lower risk of sudden infant death. Once babies roll independently, let them settle in their own position but still start them on their back.
Can my baby have a pillow or blanket?
Keep the cot clear of pillows, duvets, bumpers and soft toys. Use lightweight, well tucked blankets feet to foot, or a correctly sized baby sleeping bag.
Should my baby sleep in my room?
Yes. The advice is to share a room, with your baby in their own clear cot or basket, for at least the first six months, for day and night sleeps.
How do I stop my baby overheating?
Keep the room comfortably cool, dress your baby for the room temperature, avoid hats indoors, and check the chest or back of the neck rather than hands to judge warmth.
Where can I find full safer sleep guidance?
The Lullaby Trust is a trusted source of current, evidence-based advice, and your health visitor can help you apply it to your situation.
This is general information, not personalised medical advice. Speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP if anything worries you or feels different from what is described here. For full, up to date safer sleep guidance, follow The Lullaby Trust and your health visitor. This is a brief overview, not a complete guide.