Each year around 200 babies will die unexpectedly before their first birthday. Many of these deaths are classified as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) which usually happens when babies are sleeping.
No-one wants to think that the worst will happen to their baby but it's important that parents and carers know the risks and what they can do about them.
It is important that all practitioners working with families in Cumbria promote ‘safe sleeping’.
Our Safer Sleep animation provides some useful advice in the form of a short clip. You can play the clip below or access on YouTube here
Safer Sleep for baby focuses on six easy to follow steps which you can follow any time you put your baby down to sleep.
Keep baby away from smoke, before and after birth. If either you or your partner smokes, never share a bed with your baby.
Put baby in a cot, crib or Moses basket to sleep. Never fall asleep with baby on a sofa or chair; this can increase the risk of death by 50%.
Never fall asleep with baby after drinking alcohol or taking drugs, including medications that may make you drowsy.
Put baby to sleep on their back with their feet to the foot of the cot.
Keep baby's head and face uncovered and make sure they don't get too hot. The room they sleep in should be between 16-20 degrees celsius.
Breastfeed your baby. Support is available if you need it.