Newborn babies tend to sleep a lot - they just don’t sleep for very long at any one time! So you probably won’t get much sleep yourself, especially to begin with. But there’s nothing nicer than seeing your wee one happily snoozing - especially if you can grab a quick nap too. It’s always good to know how to keep your baby safe while they’re asleep, so here are some great tips for sweet dreams.
Top tips from parents:
Tip #1: Safest sleeping position
Always put your baby to sleep on their back on a firm, flat surface with their feet at the end of their bed, and any blankets tucked under their arms and under the mattress. This is the safest position for sleeping.
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Tip #2: Check your baby's temperature
Check your baby is a comfortable temperature by touching their tummy, or the back of their neck. Your baby’s face and head should stay uncovered when they’re asleep.
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Tip #3: No smoking
Never allow anyone to smoke anywhere near your baby - and never put your baby in a room or car where people have smoked, as this increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) (cot death).
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Tip #4: No sleep toys
Make sure there is nothing else in the cot or Baby Box like soft toys, pillows, duvets or cot bumpers.
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Tip #5: Keep them close
Your baby should stay in the same room as you for daytime sleeps as well as at night (great that the Baby Box is so portable!)
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Tip #6: Be careful
Never fall asleep with your baby on a sofa or a chair
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What the professionals say:
"We introduce safe sleeping right from early pregnancy so that mums and dads get an idea of some of the equipment they need to think about, the equipment they need to buy to avoid things like cot bumpers, avoiding putting things into cots, just having the cots with blankets only, having cellular blankets rather than cot quilts or anything like that, to avoid pillows, and we try so that they’re starting to think about all that even during pregnancy.”
Pamela Murray, Family Nurse and Midwife
More information:
For more information on how to make sure your baby is sleeping safely, visit the Ready Steady Baby website. You can also speak to your midwife or health visitor.
