Every sleep a safe sleep

Night waking is normal

Babies are designed to:

• Feed often: Babies have tiny stomachs and wake frequently to feed.
• Be close to caregivers
• Wake easily and after every sleep cycle (important for safety)

Many parents worry that their baby is not sleeping as well as others but:

• most babies wake often and this is healthy and expected
• trying to make babies sleep longer or deeply too early can:
  • stop breastfeeding
  • be unsafe
  • reduce babies’ natural ability to wake if something is wrong

Useful information and resources

• Lullaby Trust’s Baby Sleep Patterns helps you to understand what normal baby sleep looks like. It explains how much sleep babies need, why they wake often, how sleep changes over the first year, and why some sleep products can be unsafe.
• Basis information sheets provide facts about normal baby sleep and practical information to help you make informed choices about where and how your baby sleeps. The BASIS information sheets are also available in a number of different languages.

The safest place for your baby to sleep is in their own separate sleep space (cot or Moses basket) following the ABC rules. This helps reduce the risk of SIDS.

You should never fall asleep on a sofa or chair with your baby.

Co‑sleeping

• Co‑sleeping means sleeping in the same place as your baby.
• It includes sleep that is planned or sleep that happens by accident.

Bed‑sharing

• Bed‑sharing means your baby sleeps on the same bed as you for most of the night while you are both asleep.
• This is different from bringing your baby into bed just to feed or cuddle.

When not to co‑sleep or bed-share

This can be very dangerous if:

• you or anyone in the bed has had alcohol
• you or anyone in the bed smokes, or baby was exposed to smoking in pregnancy
• you or anyone in the bed has taken drugs or medication that make you sleepy
• your baby was premature (before 37 weeks) or weighed under 2.5kg
• you or anyone in the bed has a high Body Mass Index (BMI).

In these situations, always place your baby in their own cot or Moses basket.

If you co‑sleep or bed-share make the bed safer, visit the co-sleeping page by Lullaby Trust for more practical advice.

If you choose to bed‑share or think you might fall asleep:

• Keep pillows, duvets and adult bedding away from your baby.
• Make sure your baby cannot get trapped between the mattress and the wall or headboard.
• Keep other children and pets out of the bed.
• Place your baby on their back on a firm, flat surface.
• Never leave your baby alone on an adult bed.
• Check your sleep space before every sleep, especially if you feel unwell or unusually tired.

• Car seats are for travelling, not for long sleeps.
• Do not leave your baby sleeping in a car seat.
• On long journeys, stop every 2 hours and take your baby out.
• Check your baby’s head, neck and back often to make sure they are not slumping forward.
• Premature babies and babies under 4 weeks should not be in a car seat for more than 30 minutes.
• If possible, an adult should sit in the back and check the baby every 30 minutes (more often for very small babies).
• Never place a car seat on a soft or high surface like a bed, sofa or table.
• Always keep straps fully fastened.

Useful information and resources

• The Lullaby Trust: Car seats explains why car seats should be used for travel only and what to do if your baby falls asleep in a car seat. It also helps you choose and use a car seat correctly to keep your baby safe.

• Play seats, bouncers and swings are for awake play only.
• They are not safe for sleep because your baby can slump which can make breathing difficult.
• Straps may not stop your baby from moving into unsafe positions.

Useful information and resources

• Airways Lullaby Trust explains the positions and products that can block or narrow a baby’s airway, and shows how to create a safe, flat, clear sleep space to help your baby breathe easily and reduce the risk of SIDS.

• Slings must be used exactly as the instructions say.
• If your baby needs to feed, take them out of the sling.
• When you’re wearing a sling or carrier, don’t forget the T.I.C.K.S rules:
  • Tight
  • In view at all times
  • Close enough to kiss
  • Keep chin off the chest
  • Supported back

Useful information and resources

• Slings and Swaddling Lullaby Trust explains about swaddling and how to use baby slings safely using the T.I.C.K.S. guidance.

• Lullaby Trust: Twins and multiples explains how to sleep twins or multiples safely. It explains the safest sleep positions, when babies can share a cot, and how to reduce the risk of SIDS when caring for more than one baby at a time.

Talk to your midwife, health visitor, or local children’s centre.

• Lullaby Trust:  The Lullaby Trust is a UK charity that provides expert advice on safer sleep for babies and works to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
• Unicef: Caring for your baby at night guide explains night‑time feeding, safer sleep, how to keep your baby close, and simple ways to manage tiredness, all based on trusted, evidence‑based guidance.
• Basis offers research‑based information about normal baby sleep and safer sleep.
• Leeds Baby Bank supports families who are struggling to afford essential items for their babies and young children. The charity provides new and pre‑loved items like cots, pushchairs, clothes, toys, nappies and formula, and offers help through referrals and community sessions.
• Baby Basics Leeds supports families who are finding it hard to afford the essential items needed for a new baby. Through a professional referral, they can provide a Moses basket filled with new born essentials for babies up to 12 months.
• Care of Next Infant (CONI) specialist support for bereaved parents for future pregnancy and new baby.