Bedtime Safety

Some parents sleep their new baby in a bassinet, while others choose to go straight to a cot. Either way, place your baby on their back on a firm, well fitting mattress. Make it up so that baby’s feet are close to the bottom end and the covers tucked in firmly so they can’t pull loose coverings over their head. Make sure the covers don’t come up any higher than their chest height – this avoids the risk of your baby wriggling down and slipping underneath the bedclothes.

Most new parents prefer to sleep their baby close by in their bedroom at the beginning. In fact, it is now recommended that babies share the same room as their mother for at least the first six months. However it is not recommended that you have them share your own bed, as there is a risk of them slipping under your bedclothes and suffocating, or you rolling onto them in your sleep. Instead, give them their own safe sleeping place, such as a bassinet right next to your bed.

However it is not recommended that you have them share your own bed, as there is a risk of them slipping under your bedclothes and suffocating, or you rolling onto them in your sleep.

Young father playing with his daughter inside with toys

How to sleep your baby safely

Sleep your baby on their back from birth, not on the tummy or side.
Use a firm well-fitting mattress.
Don’t cover your baby’s head or face when they’re sleeping.
Don’t use pillows, quilts, doonas, bumpers, canopies, nets or fluffy toys.
Don’t overheat them with heavy blankets.
Make sure your home is smoke free.
Sleep baby in their own safe sleeping place in the same room as you for at least the first 6 months if possible.