Sleep

• new-born babies may sleep for up to 18 hours a day, but often for 2-3 hours at a time
• during the first year overall sleep falls to around 15 hours per day, and the majority of sleep becomes concentrated during the night-time; this is a developmental process and it often takes several months for wake and sleep to become established
• most 3 year olds will need 12 hours of sleep a night, with many dropping their daytime naps
• ensure a regular bedtime routine which encourages a good quality night's sleep
• create a restful and comfortable bedroom environment for sleep
• avoid sugary and caffeinated foods and drinks in the few hours before bedtime
• regular physical activity will help young children sleep better
• avoid TV screens and electronic devices before bedtime

There are simple steps that you can take to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or commonly known as cot death

Advice is based on strong scientific evidence and should be followed for all sleep periods not just at night.

While SIDS is rare, it can still happen, this is how you can reduce the risk of SIDS:

• place your baby on their back to sleep, in a cot in the same room as you, for the first 6 months
• don't smoke during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and don't let anyone smoke in the same room as your baby
• don't share a bed with your baby if you have been drinking alcohol, if you take drugs, or you're a smoker
• never sleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair
• don't let your baby get too hot or cold. The optimum room temperature is about 18C (65F) is ideal
• if it's very warm, your baby may not need any bedclothes other than a sheet. Even in winter, most babies who are unwell or feverish don't need extra clothes
• keep your baby's head uncovered. Their blanket should be tucked in no higher than their shoulders
• place your baby in the "feet to foot" position, with their feet at the end of the cot or Moses basket
• if your baby is unwell seek medical help promptly
• babies often have minor illnesses that you don't need to worry about; give your baby plenty of fluids to drink and don't let them get too hot. If your baby sleeps a lot, wake them up regularly for a drink. It can be difficult to judge whether an illness is more serious and needs urgent medical attention

Safer sleep key messages

Put your baby on their back for every sleep in a clear, flat sleep space.

Keep your baby smoke free day and night.

Sleep position

• from day one place your baby on their back to sleep and not on their front or side
• lay your baby with their feet to the bottom of the cot, crib or Moses basked
• front-sleeping is particularly dangerous for babies born pre-term or at a low birth-weight
• once your baby can move themselves from their back to their front and back again by themselves they will be able to find their own sleeping position
• it is much safer for your baby to be in their cot with just the sheets of blankets, and no extras which could be pulled over their face or cause an accident
• some babies who were born very prematurely and spent some time in neonatal unit may have been slept on their fronts for medical reasons and would have been under constant supervision - day and night - unlike at home

Sleep environment

• the safest place for a baby to sleep during the day and at night is in a cot in the same room as you (or anyone else caring for your baby) for the first six months (this can include a Moses basket, travel cot or carry cot for day and night time sleeps
• there are lots of sleep products available ensure before you buy any products that it is firm, flat, have a waterproof cover, allow bedding to be firmly tucked in, that it meets British safety standards
• car seats are designed to keep babies safe whilst travelling not as a main sleeping place and they should not be used as an alternative for a cot, Moses basket or crib; take a sleeping baby out of a car seat when you get to their destination and place onto a firm, flat surface to sleep

Bedding

• make sure your baby's sheet and blanket are not above shoulder height and are firmly tucked in
• don't use bulky bedding such as quilts and duvets
• consider using a well fitting baby sleep bag - the correct tog value and don't use other bedding

Overheating, temperature and over-wrapping

• ensure baby is at a comfortable temperature, not too hot or too cold
• check your baby's chest and or back of their neck to make sure their skin doesn't feel hot, clammy or sweaty to the touch. If your baby is unwell with a cold or fever they may be warmer than usual, they will need fewer not more bedclothes.

Some parents choose to bed share with their babies. This is when your baby shares the same bed with you for most of the night and not just to be comforted or fed, see YouTube: Lullaby Trust - How to co-sleep more safely (opens new window).

It is important to know that there are times when co-sleeping with your baby can be very dangerous and should be avoided. Do not co-sleep if any of the following following points apply to you:

• you or your partner smokes (even if this is not in the bedroom)
• you or your partner has drunk alcohol or taken drugs (this includes any medication that may make you drowsy)
• your baby was born premature (before 37 weeks)
• your baby was born at a low weight (2.5kg or 5¹/₂lbs or less)
• never sleep on a sofa or armchair with your baby - this can increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome by 50 times