Safe Sleep for Baby

Once your pēpi is born, they will need a place to sleep. The safest place for baby to sleep is in their own space (bassinet, co-sleeper, pēpi-pod, wahakura etc). They should always be placed down to sleep on their back, to keep their airway open, and have a parent/caregiver who is not under the influence of drugs/alcohol around.

Babies under 1 year old are at risk for SUDI (Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy), and this affects 40-60 babies per year in Aotearoa. The main risk factors are smoking while pregnant or after baby is born, bed-sharing in an unsafe way, and baby’s position while sleeping.

There are four principles to safe sleep:

Place pēpi in their own safe sleeping space (bassinet, co-sleeper, pēpi-pod, wahakura), in the same room as a parent or caregiver for at least the first six months. Sharing a bed can mean that the bigger person in the bed may roll onto the baby and smother them. It is important that a caregiver in the room is free from drugs and alcohol so that they can be alert to baby’s needs.

Eliminate smoking in pregnancy, and give pēpi a smoke-free home and car. Babies have an innate ability to wake to regulate their breathing, and smoking in pregnancy and around baby weakens this ability.

Position pēpi on their back for every sleep, and make sure there is nothing in the sleep space that can cover their face (loose blankets, toys, crib bumpers etc). Baby should sleep on a firm, flat mattress, with their feet at the bottom of the sleep space, and any blankets need to come to chest level only. Side sleeping doubles the risk of SUDI, and babies that roll onto or are placed on their front are at six times the risk of SUDI.

Encourage and support breastfeeding & gentle handling of pēpi. Breastfeeding is protective against SUDI, although we’re not quite sure why. Gentle handling is important for all pēpi!

If you choose to bed-share with your pēpi, or if you find that it is happening by accident, please look into the Safe Sleep Seven.

If you need a pēpi-pod or wahakura, please reach out to your midwife. They may have resources available to them.

For more information