Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is rare, especially after five months when babies start to become more mobile.
Try not to let the worry of SIDS affect the first few months getting to know your new baby. However, although the risk is small there are some steps you can take to reduce the risks.
Sleeping position
Babies should always be laid to sleep on their back, with their feet touching the foot of the cot.
Sheets or thin blankets should be tucked in and made up so that they come no higher than your baby's shoulders, to prevent them wriggling under the covers. Make sure the covers are securely tucked in so they cannot slip over your baby's head.
When your baby is awake, they should spend time in a variety of positions and not just on their back. For example, you can let your baby play on its tummy (as long as you make sure that they do not fall asleep on their front). This will help them learn how to control their head. And it encourages healthy development.
Because babies should always sleep on their backs, you may notice your baby's head becomes slightly flatter on one side.
Plagiocephaly is not a serious condition and will not cause your baby any health problems. Your baby's head should become rounder again naturally as they continue to grow.
Smoking
Exposing your baby to tobacco smoke can dramatically increase the risk of SIDS.
If you cannot give up smoking then make sure your home is a smoke-free environment. Make sure that you always smoke outdoors. Simply smoking with a window open or in another room will not be enough.
You cannot see or smell 85% of cigarette smoke and it lingers in the air for up to two-and-a-half hours. Make sure that any family, friends or guests you have in the house do not smoke indoors.
If you want advice on how to stop smoking during your pregnancy you can call the NHS Pregnancy helpline on 0800 169 9 169. The line is open every day from 12pm-9pm.
If you wish to receive more general advice on how to give up smoking then you can call the NHS Smoking line on 0800 022 4 332. This phone line is open every day, from 7am-11pm. Both of these phone lines are completely confidential.
Sharing a bed
The best place for your baby to sleep in the first six months is in a crib or cot which is in the room with you. You should never bring your baby into bed with you.
This is because accidents can happen. For example, you may roll over in your sleep, suffocating your baby. Your baby could also fall out of bed and be injured or they could get caught between the wall and the bed.
It is especially dangerous for your baby to share a bed with you if you have been smoking, drinking alcohol or have taken medication which makes you drowsy.
Falling asleep on the sofa with your baby has also been shown to increase the risk of SIDS. You should also not let your baby sleep alone in an adult bed.
Using a dummy
Recent findings have also shown that a child using a dummy when they sleep has a reduced risk of cot death. One possible theory is that the bulky handle of the dummy may help air to get to the child's airways, even when the child has bedclothes over their face.
Using a dummy may also help to strengthen the nerves that control the child's upper airway.
If you are breastfeeding, do not give your baby a dummy until your baby is one month old. This will help make sure that the dummy does not affect your baby's breastfeeding routine.
Do not worry if your baby's dummy falls out whilst they are sleeping or if your baby does not want to use a dummy. Not all babies take to dummies and you should never force your child to use one if they do not want to.
Room temperature
It is important that you keep your baby's room at a safe and comfortable temperature. Babies who get too hot are at an increased risk of SIDS. A baby can get too hot because the room temperature is too warm or because they are covered with too many blankets, bedding or clothing.
However, even though babies who get too hot are more at risk of SIDS, you should also make sure that your baby does not get too cold. You should aim to keep your baby's room temperature between 16-20C (61-68F).
Ideally the room should be 18C (64F). The best way for you to monitor the temperature of the room is to use a room thermometer.
Babies should never sleep with a hot water bottle or electric blanket. You should also make sure that their bed is not put next to a radiator, heater, fire or placed in direct sunlight. Use lightweight blankets and never use a duvet, quilt or pillow for babies under 12 months old.
If your baby is unwell, trust your instincts - you know your baby best of all. Get medical advice if you are concerned, but particularly if your baby:
- is wheezy or is having trouble breathing,
- is being sick,
- feels hot or sweaty,
- is pale,
- has a rash (particularly if also seems unwell), or
- is not responding to you normally.
The CONI (Care Of the Next Infant) scheme offers advice, support and practical help to cot death parents in the care of their next baby. It is also important to learn infant resuscitation techniques (also known as 'mouth to mouth') - courses are widely available to parents and are often free of charge.
