Help your baby sleep safely

Is your baby sleeping safely? 

There are six ways for your baby to sleep safely and reduce the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy:

1. put your baby to sleep on their back
2. keep their head and face uncovered
3. keep the baby in a smoke-free environment before and after birth
4. have a safe sleeping environment night and day
5. have the baby sleep in a safe cot or bed in parent’s room for 6 to 12 months (not in the parent's bed)
6. breastfeed your baby.

How to wrap your baby

Wrapping your baby helps them feel safe. But do not wrap too tight. Make sure there is enough room for your baby to move their legs and hips. Always keep an eye on your baby to make sure they are comfortable and safe.

Steps to wrap your baby safely and comfortably

1. Use a big, light blanket or muslin cloth. Lay it flat on a clean surface.
2. Put your baby on the blanket with their head a bit above the edge. Make sure you can see their face and the blanket does not cover it.
3. Take one corner of the blanket and gently bring it across your baby's chest, tucking it under their other arm. Take the opposite corner and bring it across their body, tucking it under their back or tying it loosely.
4. Lastly, fold up the bottom corner of the blanket so your baby's feet and legs have space to move.

Is your cot safe?

For both household cots and travel cots, check that:

• it meets the Australian/New Zealand Mandatory Standards and is in your room for the first 6 to 12 months of life
• it has a firm, clean, flat mattress that fits the size of the cot with no gaps
• there is no bulky bedding, pillows, bumpers, snuggle beds, or toys in the cot.   

Image: Safe Sleep for your Baby brochure NSW MOH

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/kidsfamilies/MCFhealth/Publications/safe-sleeping-for-your-baby.pdf

Safe Sleep

Other important safety tips

• Keep the cot or bed’s sides up once you have settled baby for sleep.
• Do not put any cords or necklaces (including amber beads) on the baby when they want to sleep.
• Never use a water bottle, wheat pack or an electric blanket in the baby’s bed.
• The cot needs to be away from windows and blind cords.
• Keep heaters well away from the cot if used in the baby’s room.