SOMERSET NEWS: Safer Sleep Week – keeping your babies safe

PARENTS and carers in Somerset are being asked to take steps to keep their babies safe from harm every time they go to sleep.

The advice is part of ‘Safer Sleep Week’, organised by the Lullaby Trust (March 13-19, 2017) which aims to ensure parents and carers know the importance of safer sleep and know how to reduce the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

SIDS is the sudden and unexplained death of a baby.  Research has found that there are several factors more common with babies who die of SIDS than those who do not.

There are many practical steps parents and carers can take to help prevent tragedy and ensure their babies get a safer sleep.

Please follow the advice for every sleep. 

• Always place your baby on their back to sleep.

• Keep your baby smoke free during pregnancy and after birth.

• Place your baby to sleep in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first six months.

• Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in good condition.

• Breastfeed your baby, if you can.

• When you finish travelling by car, take your baby out of their car seat, even if they are asleep. Then put them into a cot or Moses basket.

Things to avoid:

•         Never sleep on a sofa or in an armchair with your baby.

•         Don’t sleep in the same bed as your baby if you smoke, drink or take drugs or are extremely tired.

•         Avoid letting your sleeping baby get too hot.

•         Don’t cover your baby’s face or head while sleeping.

Alison Bell, consultant in public health for Somerset County Council said: “As part of Safer Sleep Week we are promoting the ABC of Safer Sleep, reminding you that the safest place for a baby to sleep during the first six months is that babies sleep; A – Always Alone; B - on their Back and C – in their own cot.

“Babies need a lot of sleep during the first few months of their lives so it’s important to ensure that they are sleeping as safely as possible. Every sleep matters.”

For full information, including a downloadable leaflet parents can visit http://www.lullabytrust.org.uk .

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