From 13-19 March 2017, The Lullaby Trust is running its annual awareness campaign, Safer Sleep Week. The campaign is aimed at anyone who looks after a young baby. By sharing up-to-date information, it hopes to raise awareness of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and its risk factors.

Reducing SIDS risks

This year’s campaign week is focusing on going ‘back to basics’. A recent survey conducted by The Lullaby Trust revealed that parents are still uncertain about the safest way to put their baby to sleep.

Around 700,000 babies are born every year in the UK. Sadly around 4 babies a week still die from SIDS. If all parents and carers were aware of safest sleep advice then many little lives could be saved.

To put their campaign into action, The Lullaby Trust wants to put their safe sleep advice into straightforward terms. No more confusion, just simple info and simple steps to help protect babies.

Safer Sleep Advice

Remember, you can avoid accidents by removing all pillows, soft bedding, cot bumpers and soft toys from the Moses basket, crib, or cot.

Thing you can do:

  • Always place your baby on their back to sleep
  • Keep your baby smoke free during pregnancy and after birth
  • Place your baby to sleep in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first 6 months
  • Breastfeed your baby
  • Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in good condition
    Things to avoid:

  • Never sleep on a sofa or in an armchair with your baby
  • Don’t sleep in the same bed as your baby if you smoke, drink or take drugs or are extremely tired, if your baby was born prematurely or was of low birth-weight
  • Avoid letting your baby get too hot
  • Don’t cover your baby’s face or head while sleeping or use loose bedding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information on Safer Sleep Week visit www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-week