What we can do as parents and caregivers.

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  • PLACE BABY ON THE BACK TO SLEEP

  • The risk of cot death is significantly reduced with babies sleeping on their backs.

  • Sleep positioners are very useful to encourage back sleeping from an early age.

  • Babies are not more likely to choke on their backs, in fact they’re more likely to choke on their vomit if lying on their tummies.

  • During the day when baby is awake, place him on his tummy to help strengthen neck and back muscles. 

  • NO SMOKING DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY – fathers too !!

  • Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of cot death ! This risk more than doubles if babies are then exposed to cigarette smoke.

  • Do not allow anyone to smoke around your baby or in your house.

  • Do not take you baby to smoky places

  • Do not put your baby in bed with you if you are a smoker 

  • DO NOT LET BABY GET TOO HOT !!!
    Babies cannot regulate their temperature very well, so it is important to keep baby at the correct temperature. Over heating with too much bedding or clothing or if the room is too hot is a significant risk factor.

  • Keep room at +- 18’C ( a simple wall thermometer will give you peace of mind)

  • Avoid using too much bedding or clothing. Cotton cellular blankets are best as you can remove or add layers to regulate body temp.

  • Sleep sacs are a popular choice, as baby’s head cannot get covered by loose bedding. As babies remain covered at a constant temperature all night, they also wake up less frequently.

  • Never leave baby sleeping next to a heater, in the direct sunshine, with a hot water bottle or on an electric blanket.
    When you check on your baby, if baby is sweating or his/her tummy feels hot to the touch, take off some bedding.

  • DO NOT worry if the hands and feet are cool this is normal.

  • Feverish babies need fewer clothes and blankets to help regulate temperature.

  • Babies lose excess heat through their heads, so make sure that the head is not covered with bedclothes ( Never let baby sleep with a hat on).

  • To prevent baby wriggling down under the covers , place your baby’s feet at the foot of the cot and make up the bed so that the covers reach no higher than the shoulders. Covers should be tucked in so that they cannot slip over the baby’s head.

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