Baby Cot Safety

• Make your baby sleep on his/her back.
• Make the baby sleep in the 'feet-to-foot' position and away from the end of the cot. Place the baby in such a way that his/her feet are facing the foot of the cot, but are not touching the end of the cot.
• The right temperature for a baby's room is 18 degrees centigrade (65 F). Babies should never rest in very hot temperatures.
• Do not use an electric blanket or a hot water bottle in the baby's cot.
• They should not be allowed to sleep either in direct sunlight, or near a fire or heater.
• The baby's clothes, sheets and blankets must be made of cotton only.
• All that babies need while sleeping is nappy, vest and sleep suit. If it is a hot night, make sure you dress the baby lightly.
• Do not use duvets or sheepskins, until the baby is a year old.
• The room in which the baby sleeps must be smoke-free. Do not smoke or allow anyone to smoke near the baby.
• During the first six months, make sure that the baby cot is in your bedroom.
• Avoid sleeping with your baby on the sofa.
• If you smoke, drink alcohol, take medicines or drugs that make you sleep deeply, then do not allow your baby to share your bed.
• Do not cover the baby's head unless it is very cold, as they lose excess heat from their head and face.
• When the baby has temperature, his covering should be light and not heavy as is often believed.
• The baby's bedding, mattress, covering should be kept clean, sun-dry and aired.