Safer sleep for babies

Safer sleep for babies: Guidance for practitioners

Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) remains a tragic and preventable cause of infant mortality. Practitioners working with families play a vital role in supporting families to reduce the risks associated with unsafe sleep environments.

Safer sleep advice

When working with parents and carers with babies it is important to share this advice from The Lullaby Trust. By following this advice for every sleep, day and night, you can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

• 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 same room as their parent.
• Lie your baby on their back.
• Keep their cot clear.
• Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress.
• Keep baby smoke-free.
• Avoid baby getting too hot.
• Sleep baby in the same room as you for at least the first six months.

Tools to support practitioners working with families

• SUDI Practice Tool: Designed to support non-judgemental, curious conversations with families about sleep safety. It helps tailor advice to individual circumstances and environments.
• SUDI slides and video: The video explains SUDI and the Practice Tool in more detail.

• TICKS for safer sling use: Ensure slings and carriers follow the TICKS guidance—Tight, In view, Close enough to kiss, Keep chin off chest, Supported back.
• The Lullaby Trust: Safer Sleep Advice, including co-sleeping.
• CAPT: Product Safety Alerts.
• Child Death Review Information: CDR notification, process and SUDI Practice Tool and Video

Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service

If parents/carers have questions, they can talk to their midwife or health visitor who can help with sleep safety, quitting smoking, and more. Further information can be found through the Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service.

The ECFWS also have an app (available in the App Store or Google Play) which practitioners can use to demonstrate safer sleep info to parents and carers.

Co-sleeping

Some parents choose to share a bed with their babies, while others sometimes fall asleep with their baby without meaning to. When working with families, follow the advice from The Lullaby Trust to ensure parents and carers reduce the risks of co-sleeping and help keep their baby safer while they sleep.

There are some occasions when it can be particularly dangerous, especially if:

• They smoke
• They’ve had alcohol or drugs
• Their baby was born early or very small
• They sleep on a sofa or armchair with their baby

The Lullaby Trust have further information about co-sleeping.

Remember the safest place for a baby to sleep is always is in their own clear, flat, firm separate sleep space (e.g. a cot or Moses basket) in the same room as their parent.