There are certain co-sleeping risk factors, including:
Reducing the risk
It is not yet known how to completely prevent sudden infant deaths (sometimes called cot death) but you can significantly reduce the risk by following this advice while your baby is asleep:
Always place your baby on their back to sleep, with their feet at the foot of the cot
Place your baby to sleep in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first 6 months, even during the day
Keep your baby smoke free during pregnancy and after birth. For help and advice contact www.smokefree.nhs.uk
Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress that is clean and in good condition, or a baby sleep bag of the correct size for the weight of your baby
Never sleep on a sofa or in an armchair with your baby
Don’t cover your baby’s face or head while sleeping or use loose bedding
Don’t sleep in the same bed as your baby if you smoke, drink, take drugs or if your baby was born prematurely or was of low birth weight
Avoid letting your baby get too hot
You should follow the advice at all sleep times, not just at night.
Slings and baby carriers are useful for holding a baby hands free, however they are not always used safely.
The Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers provides the following advice to baby sling wearers: keep your baby close and keep your baby safe. When wearing a sling or baby carrier, keep in mind the TICKS guidelines:
This is to ensure that your baby’s airway is kept clear, and so you can check that they are able to breathe easily and are not overheating.
One of the outcomes of a recent thematic review of baby deaths classified as sudden unexpected deaths in infancy (SUDI) across Southend, Essex and Thurrock, was to develop a SUDI thinking tool. The tool has now been finalised and is available for use by practitioners across all agencies.
The intention of the SUDI thinking tool is to prompt curious conversations by all professionals in contact with families with young infants, to facilitate a non-judgemental discussion about their choice of sleeping environment, and to tailor advice and support to their individual circumstances.
The guidance is based on the Lullaby Trust recommendations for best practice and is intended to support current practice and risk assessment.
If you are a parent or carer of a young child, or know someone who is, you can get support and advice from your midwife or health visitor, so do speak to them if you have any questions, whether about safer sleep or other things like, getting help to give up smoking or advice on settling your baby and getting rest.
Call: 0808 802 6869
Safer sleep advice, bereavement support and awareness raising.
The Lullaby Trust has worked with Unicef in the wording on publications to support families and professionals with the challenge of addressing co-sleeping given the association with SIDS. You might be interested in reading the Unicef Baby Friendly publication, which is endorsed by The Lullaby Trust.
Unicef leaflet: Caring for your baby at night - getting some rest, night feeding, safe sleeping environments and helping a baby settle.
Infant Sleep App - Information from the the Infant Sleep Information Source, including normal sleep development, sleep location and sleep safety
Johnsons Baby Bedtime Baby Sleep App - Track your baby’s sleep habits and for advice to help improve your baby’s sleep
Baby Buddy - Guides you through the first six months of your baby’s life to help you give your baby the best start in life and support your health and wellbeing
My Baby Today - Get daily parenting guidance throughout your baby's first year