Safety first
At around three months most babies will be starting to outgrow their Moses baskets and be ready to move into a cot. There are, however, a few important safety measures to be taken before you make the switch. When choosing a cot, make sure it meets the current safety guidelines and if you’re inheriting one, always buy a new mattress, for hygiene reasons. Check that the mattress is a snug fit in the cot with no gaps. Cot bumpers are fine at this age, although an older baby may use them to try to climb out.
Sleep tight
The safest way for a baby to sleep is on her back with her feet at the foot of the cot. Tuck in sheets and blankets tightly, making sure they come no higher than her shoulders. Alternatively, a hoodless, lightweight sleeping bag of the right size will ensure your baby’s head doesn’t get covered by bedding. Your baby can’t regulate her body temperature, so check she isn’t overheating by feeling her head, neck or back (not hands and feet).
Beware of bed-sharing
Some parents bring their babies to bed for night feeds and cuddles. The Department of Health recommends that babies sleep in a cot after feeds – next to your bed if possible. A survey commissioned by the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths shows that one in six babies are being put at risk of cot death because their parents are smokers and share a bed with their baby, increasing the risk of cot death considerably. Also, be aware of the following:
• if you share a bed, your baby could roll off the bed or get trapped between the bed and wall
• never sleep with your baby if she’s ill, you’re very tired, your partner doesn’t know she’s in bed or you, or your partner have been drinking, or have taken medication that makes you sleepy.
Help to avoid cot death
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a source of anxiety, but there are ways to reduce the risk:
• always put your baby to sleep on her back in the feet-to-foot position
• don’t use pillows or duvets
• always use a firm mattress, making sure it complies with BS 1877 and BS 7177
• don’t smoke in the house
• keep the room at 18ºC (65ºF) and make sure that the cot is placed away from heaters. Being too hot is more of a risk than being cold
• don’t use electric blankets or hot water bottles.
If you would like more advice on sleep safety for your baby, go to our Ask an Expert section.
