Safer sleep... Meeting and getting to know


your baby is an extremely exciting and rewarding time.


It’s also the beginning of a new relationship. Babies need a lot of sleep during the first few months of their lives so it’s important to ensure that they are sleeping as safely as possible.


At The Lullaby Trust, they promote expert advice on safer sleep for babies and raise awareness of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). SIDS is the sudden and unexplained death of a baby where no cause is found. And for over 40 years they have funded cutting-edge research, making a major contribution to reducing sudden infant death by 70%.


While SIDS is rare, it can still happen and there are steps parents can take to help reduce the chance of this tragedy occurring. You should try to follow the advice for all sleep periods where possible, not just at night.


THINGS YOU CAN DO: • Always place your baby on their back to sleep • Keep your baby smoke free during pregnancy and after birth


• Place your baby to sleep in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first 6 months


• Breastfeed your baby, if you can • Use a good condition, firm, flat, waterproof mattress


THINGS TO AVOID: • Never sleep on a sofa or armchair with your baby • Don’t sleep in the same bed as your baby if you smoke, drink or take drugs or are extremely tired, or if your baby was born prematurely or was of low birth-weight


• Avoid letting your baby get too hot • Don’t cover your baby’s face or head while sleeping or use loose bedding


For more information on SIDS and risks visit:


www.lullabytrust.org.uk E: info@lullabytrust.org.uk T: 0808 802 6869 Small Steps 6


Top Tips for minimising


New Baby Allergies...


Did you know that 50% of young children in the UK now suffer from some sort of allergy.


Research indicates that some allergies are genetic; however some can be triggered by environmental factors with babies being the most sensitive to these.


Key advice would be:


• To protect their skin, bathe your new baby in just plain water for the first month


• Use a non-biological clothes washing product


• Consider using natural sheepskin rugs and liners for your baby to lie on


• Do not smoke around infants and young children


• Avoid spraying chemical cleaners or deodorants around your baby


• If your baby is born with or develops very dry skin, ask for advice from your GP, midwife, or health visitor. There are special creams and bath products available on prescription, made specifically for very young babies


• Seek early treatment of eczema and other skin conditions as this may halt other allergy development


• Nappy rash is common in all babies. However, seek medical advice if the rash spreads outside the nappy area, or the skin is broken or weeping


More help can be found at Allergy UK, www.allergyuk.org


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