If you haven’t heard of SIDS, it stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which occurs during sleep. Experts still aren’t entirely sure what the cause is. Now, we know that this sounds really scary, and if it’s something you feel anxious about, that’s absolutely understandable, but fortunately, it’s really quite rare these days—fewer than 1 in 4000 babies in the UK die of SIDS—and there’s actually a lot we can do to reduce its risk. For more information, go to www.lullabytrust.org.uk.

So how do I reduce the risk of SIDS?

Put your baby to sleep on their back. Even if your baby appears to like sleeping on their belly or their side, don’t let this become a habit, even during naps. On their back is simply the safest option.

Breastfeed if you can. Research has shown that breastfeeding, even if it’s just during the first couple of weeks, will reduce the risk of SIDS. If you aren’t able to breastfeed, don’t worry, as the other steps should still limit any risk.

Room share. For the first 6 months, sharing your room with your baby can significantly reduce the risk of SIDS, as you are more likely to hear any changes in their breathing or movements. It's much safer if they sleep in their own crib than in your bed. If their crib is next to your bed and at the same height, you can easily place them back in the crib after night feeds.

Keep your baby cool. It is now a known fact that overheating contributes to SIDS, so make sure your baby isn't wrapped in too many layers or blankets. And never put a hat on them while they’re sleeping indoors; they need to be able to lose heat from their heads. Ideally, the bedroom should be between 16 and 20 degrees Celsius and 61 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the same temperature at which you will feel comfortable at night.

Make sure their bed is safe. When it comes to making their bed a safe space, there are three things to keep in mind:

‘Feet to foot’. Always put your baby in their cot or Moses basket with their feet close to the end of their bed. The reason being that if your baby shuffles, they’ll move up and not down (so the covers can’t go over their heads).

Don’t use pillows, duvets, or cot bumpers. These items can cause suffocation. So too can toys. A cellular blanket, one full of small holes and specially designed for babies, works well. Tuck it around the mattress and only place it as high as your baby’s chest; don’t tuck it up to their chin. Although expensive, baby sleeping bags can be great for babies.

Mattress. Your baby’s mattress must be flat, firm, and have a waterproof plastic cover to protect it. Ideally, it should be new.

Don’t smoke. Smoking is now considered the greatest risk factor with regard to SIDS. So make sure to keep your baby away from any cigarette smoke—not letting any smoke come indoors. You should also keep smoky clothing out of the house and the bedroom if possible. There seems to be some disagreement as to whether e-cigarettes are any safer, so if you can, try to put a stop to smoking entirely. And never smoke while pregnant.

What is SIDS and how can I protect my baby from it?

Unii’s Newborn Journey looks at the serious subject of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.