Sleeping safely
Reducing the risk of cot death
Sadly we still don't know why some babies die suddenly and for no apparent reason from what is called 'cot death' or 'sudden infant death syndrome' (SIDS). But we do know that placing a baby to sleep on his or her back reduces the risk and that exposing a baby to cigarette smoke or overheating also increases the risk.
Suggestions for reducing the risk of cot death:
always put your baby to sleep on his or her back in the feet-to-foot position (this means that the baby's feet are right at the end of the cot to prevent the baby wriggling down under the covers);
- do not smoke during pregnancy - fathers too;
- don't let anyone smoke in the same room as your baby;
- don't let your baby get too hot and don't overheat the room;
- don't cover your baby's head in the bed;
- if your baby looks unwell, see the doctor straight away;
- do not share a bed with your baby if you have been drinking alcohol, taking drugs or are a smoker.
- don't give your baby a pillow or duvet until he/she is at least one year old.
The safest place for your baby for the first six months is in a cot in your room. While it's lovely to have your baby with you for a cuddle or a feed it is safest to put him back in his cot.
Getting the right temperature
Little babies are not very good at controlling their own temperature. It is important to prevent them from getting too hot or getting chilled. Overheating is known to be a factor in cot death.
If the you are comfortably wearing light clothing in the room, then the temperature will be acceptable for the baby to wear light clothing too.
Your baby should wear one light layer of clothing more than you. If the room is hot, keep your babies clothing and bed covering light.
It is good to take your baby into your bed for comfort, but when your baby falls asleep he/she might find it too hot under your heavy duvet.
Don't cover your baby's head with anything because this is where babies loose most of their heat when temperature is too high.
Never use an electric blanket or hot water bottle. Babies have delicate skin and may burn easily.
Ill or feverish babies don't need any extra bedding. Actually they need fewer.
Remove hats and extra clothing as soon as you enter a warm room, car or bus, even if it wakes your baby up.
Clean air
Babies shouldn't be exposed to tobacco smoke either before or after birth. If you or anyone else who looks after your baby smokes, make sure you don't smoke near the baby. It would be even better if you completely give up. Smoke is still present in the air that you breathe out even a considerable time after you have finished smoking. Babies and young children who breathe smoke in the air are more likely to be asthmatic and get colds, coughs, chest and ear infections.
Cot Matresses
According to current research toxic gases found in some fire retardant cot matresses does not increase the risk of cot death at all. If your baby is at all unwell, seek medical advice as soon as possible. Remember that cot death is rare, so don't let worrying about cot death ruin your first few months with your newborn.
Lack of sleep
Disturbed nights can be very hard to bear. If you are bottle feeding, encourage your partner to help share the feeding. Many fathers find it a valuable time for getting to know their babies. If you are breast feeding, your partner may be happy to take over the early morning changing so that you can go back to sleep. Or once breast feeding is established they could occassionally give an expressed bottle of breast milk.
