Back, alone, in a cot
Always place your baby on their back to sleep, on a firm, flat mattress, in their own cot. Room-sharing (baby in your room, on a separate surface) for the first 6 months is protective. Avoid sofas and armchairs for sleep.
A clear, cool bed
Keep the cot free of pillows, duvets, bumpers and soft toys. Use a fitted sheet and, if needed, a baby sleeping bag. Keep the room at a comfortable temperature (around 16–20 °C) and don’t let baby get too hot.
Smoke-free & feeding
Keep your baby’s environment completely smoke-free, during pregnancy and after. Breastfeeding and offering a dummy at sleep once feeding is established are both associated with lower risk.
Sleep away from home: car seats, pushchairs and slings
The same rules apply wherever your baby sleeps, whether at friends’ houses, at the grandparents’ or on holiday: on their back, on a firm flat surface, with no pillow or duvet. A travel cot with its original mattress is fine; avoid adding a thicker mattress or a folded blanket on top.
Car seats are designed for journeys, not for naps. When your baby falls asleep in the car, an adult should be able to keep an eye on them, and it is better to take them out on arrival than to let the nap carry on in the seat. Plan breaks on longer trips. In a pushchair, choose a carrycot or a fully flat position for the first months. In a sling or carrier, keep the face uncovered and visible, the chin up and away from the chest, and check their breathing regularly.
Swaddling, rolling and dummies
If you swaddle your baby, use a thin fabric that leaves the hips free to move and does not come up above the shoulders, and always place them on their back. Stop swaddling at the first signs of rolling, because a swaddled baby who ends up face down cannot free themselves. A correctly sized baby sleeping bag without a hood remains the simplest option.
Keep placing your baby on their back to sleep until their first birthday. Once they can roll both ways on their own, you do not need to turn them back if they change position during the night, provided the cot is completely clear. A dummy can be offered at sleep time once breastfeeding is well established, without forcing it or putting it back in if it falls out, and never with a cord, clip or soft toy attached.
Sharing a bed: what the guidance says
The safest place for your baby to sleep is a separate cot or crib in your room. Some situations make bed-sharing especially dangerous and should always be avoided: if either adult smokes, has drunk alcohol, has taken drugs or medication that causes drowsiness, is very tired, or if the baby was born premature or with a low birth weight. Never sleep with your baby on a sofa or in an armchair, where the risk is much higher.
If you know you might fall asleep during a night feed, it is safer to feed in your bed, cleared of pillows and heavy bedding, than on a sofa. As soon as you wake, move your baby back to their own cot. Talk honestly with your midwife or health visitor: they can help you plan nights that are as safe as possible in your circumstances.
Too hot, poorly, flat head: everyday questions
To check whether your baby is too hot, feel their chest or the back of their neck: sweaty or hot skin means a layer should come off. Hands and feet often feel cool and are not a reliable guide. Indoors, remove hats and outdoor clothing, even if they are asleep. Keep their head uncovered during sleep.
When your baby has a cold or a temperature, they still sleep on their back, flat; do not prop up the mattress. If their breathing seems fast or laboured, or they are unusually floppy or hard to wake, contact your doctor or emergency services. Many parents worry about a flattened area at the back of the head: it is never a reason to put a baby to sleep on their front. Supervised tummy time while awake and varying the side their head turns to are the right responses, and worth discussing with your health visitor or doctor.
Frequently asked questions
My baby sleeps better on their front. Can I leave them like that?
No. Back sleeping is the most effective known measure for reducing the risk of sudden infant death, and it applies to every sleep, naps included, up to one year. A baby who protests gets used to it in time; if you are unsure, talk to your health visitor or doctor.
Should I turn my baby back over if they roll at night?
Always place them on their back to start with. Once they can roll on their own from back to front and front to back, you can leave them in the position they choose, as long as the cot is firm, flat and completely clear, with no blankets or soft toys.
Is co-sleeping in my bed safe?
The safest option is a separate cot in your room. Never share a bed if an adult smokes, has been drinking or has taken sleeping tablets, or if your baby is premature or of low birth weight; sofas are always out. Discuss your situation with your midwife or health visitor.
Can I use a sleep positioner, nest or pod?
No. Positioners, nests, pods and wedges are not recommended: they add soft surfaces near the face and have not been shown to help. Your baby sleeps most safely on a firm, flat mattress with nothing but a well-fitted sheet.
How can I tell if my baby is too hot?
Feel their chest or the back of their neck: sweaty or very warm skin means they need fewer layers. Cool hands and feet are normal. Adjust clothing layers to the room temperature rather than adding blankets, and take off hats and coats indoors.
Does a breathing monitor or smart sock reduce the risk?
There is no evidence that these devices reduce the risk of sudden infant death, and they do not replace safer sleep practices. If you use one, keep the same precautions: on the back, a clear cot, room-sharing, a smoke-free home. If in doubt, ask your health visitor or doctor.
This article gives general information. It does not replace advice from a healthcare professional.
Sources
Sources checked on 2026-09-06.