Safer sleeping

It is not known why some babies die suddenly and for no apparent reason from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), or cot death. Research has shown that breast feeding your baby and placing a baby to sleep on their back reduces the risk.

Research has also shown that the following increases the risk of SIDS:

• exposure cigarette smoke
• co-sleeping
• sleeping with your baby on the sofa 
• allowing your baby to overheat 

SIDS is rare, so please don't let worrying about it stop you enjoying your baby's first few months.

You can access more information about what you can do to reduce the risk of cot death on The Lullaby Trust’s website.