Sleep

Some babies sleep much more than others. Some sleep for long periods, others in short bursts. Some soon sleep through the night, while some do not for a long time.

Your baby will have their own pattern of waking and sleeping, and it's unlikely to be the same as other babies you know.

It's also unlikely to fit in with your need for sleep. Try to sleep when your baby sleeps.

For newborn and baby sleeping advice, you can visit the:

Safe Sleep

Having a safe place to put your baby for sleeping, both during the day and at night, is very important.

Almost 200 babies and young children in the UK die every year from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), or cot death.

The good news is, there are simple steps you can take to help lower the risk. Research tells us that:

  • the safest sleeping position for your baby is on their back with their feet at the bottom of the bed. Do not put your baby on their front or side to sleep

  • you should keep your baby’s sleep surface flat. Do not incline, tilt or prop the mattress, cot or baby. Use a clean, waterproof mattress

  • a room temperature of 16 to 20°C with light bedding or a lightweight, well-fitting baby sleep bag is comfortable and safe for sleeping babies

  • you should try not to smoke during pregnancy and after your baby is born. Don’t let people smoke near your baby and keep your home, car, and other places your baby spends time, smoke free.

  • babies shouldn’t sleep in car seats for long periods. Use them for transport only, not as an alternative to cots or highchairs. If you're going on a long drive, take breaks every 2 hours to remove your baby from the seat, let them stretch, and reposition. For very young newborns, take a break every 30 minutes

  • the safest place for your baby to sleep is in a clear cot. That means removing anything that isn’t essential like toys or bumpers. Babies need just 2 items in their cot:

    1. a firm, flat, waterproof mattress
    2. lightweight bedding

  • co-sleeping with your baby is very dangerous if they were born prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) or weighed under 2.5kg or 5½ lbs when they were born. Co-sleeping with your baby is also very dangerous if you or anyone in the bed:

    • has recently drunk alcohol. When you drink alcohol, think about who’s in charge of your baby to make sure they're safe when they're sleeping
    • has taken any drugs or medication that make you feel sleepy
    • smokes

  • breastfeeding lowers the risk of SIDS. If you want to breastfeed and are struggling, talk to your midwife, health visitor or the infant feeding team

Baby sleeping products

The number of baby sleeping products available can be confusing. Not everything for sale is safe for your baby to sleep with.

Safe products should clearly display:

  • relevant safety certifications (CE, UKCA markings)
  • age-appropriate guidelines
  • comprehensive safety instructions
  • clear manufacturer contact information

Check the mattress:

  • is firm. Your baby’s head should not sink in by more than a few millimetres
  • is entirely flat with no raised or cushioned areas
  • has a waterproof cover

These items are not recommended:

  • soft sided pods or nests
  • pillows, duvets or thick heavy bedding
  • cot bumpers
  • bouncy chairs
  • baby hammocks
  • bean bags
  • baby swings
  • sleep positioners

More information

Visit the NHS website for more information on SIDS.

Visit our YouTube channel for a video about safer sleep.

Visit The Lullaby Trust website to read more on:

You can also find information on car safety and choosing the right car seat from the: