Keeping Your Baby Safe in Bed

Sleep Baby in her own bed

Co-sleeping with baby in your bed has a number of risk factors. These include rolling on your baby, loose bedding suffocating baby, over-heating and baby ending up in a dangerous position. Co-sleeping is particularly dangerous if either partner has been drinking or taking drugs, and may be less aware of the baby’s presence in the bed.

We recommend you sleep your baby in her own bed, which can be pulled right next to your bed for quick & easy night feeding. Recent research suggests that keeping baby in your bedroom for the first six months can further reduce SIDS risk.

Also avoid sleeping with a baby on the sofa, as this can be very dangerous from due to the baby falling off and suffocation risks.

If you must co-sleep with your baby, click here for more information on co-sleeping safely.

No smoking

Smoking around your baby is a clear SIDS risk, so it is best to stop smoking and ensure no-one else smokes anywhere near your baby. Smoking while pregnant is also a significant SIDS risk, so quit now if you are pregnant or planning another baby -

About 90% of SIDS deaths occur to babies whose mother smoked during pregnancy.

Avoid loose bedding

Loose bedding in your baby’s bed can be both a strangulation and suffocation risk. Swaddle your baby so she stays firmly wrapped or use a fitted wrap that can't come undone. Our favourites are the Miracle Blanket, Sleep Store Zip Swaddle, ergoCocoon or Love to Dream.

Once you stop swaddling your baby, use a quality baby sleeping bag for all sleeps. This means you don’t need any blankets or other loose bedding. This also means your baby can’t kick off the blankets and get cold, which will help her sleep through the night.

An excellent option is a merino & cotton sleeping bag, as these help regulate your baby’s temperature in both winter & summer. I would recommend the Woolbabe sleeping bag or our Sleep Store merino bags.

Ensure your baby’s face & head remain uncovered at all times. This prevents suffocation and helps your baby regulate her temperature.

Keep your babies sleep space breathable

Padded cot bumpers should be avoided. They are not recommended for babies under 12 months, as they are not breathable and they can cause overheating. Also ensure they don't have ties that could be a strangulation risk. We have a range of mesh bumpers to use instead.

Feet to foot position

Make up your baby’s bed so her feet are at the foot (or base) of her bed. This means she can’t slip down under the bedding. If you use blankets, ensure they are very firmly tucked in and are no higher than her shoulders.

The right mattress

Ensure your baby has a new, firm mattress. It should be the right size for her cot, with no gap she can slip into. Babies should not have pillows, sheepskins or loose fitting items underneath them.

Keep your baby the right temperature

Dress your baby so she is a comfortable temperature, as being either too hot or too cold can be unsafe for babies. Babies usually need one layer more than you are wearing. Check her temperature on her chest - she should be warm but not red or sweaty. If her chest feels cool, then add another layer.

18 degrees is considered the ideal room temperature for a baby’s room. You can use a regular room thermometer, there’s no need for a special nursery thermometer!

Using natural fibres can help your baby regulate her temperature, such as the merino & cotton sleeping bags mentioned above.

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