Friday is Safe Sleep Day: What You Need to Know

This year’s theme, “Tihei Mauri Ora”, highlights the importance of safe sleep environments to help prevent Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) across Aotearoa.

The aim of National Safe Sleep Day – Te Rā Mokopuna is to raise awareness about SUDI, in order to reduce the rate at which it occurs in New Zealand families and communities.

SUDI is preventable, and the risk factors for babies can be significantly reduced should the right steps be implemented.

Their goal is to reduce the incidence of SUDI in Aotearoa across all communities.

To achieve this they work with local coordinators and national experts to promote best practice solutions which sit alongside complementary health targets like Smokefree 2025.

Learn more about the National SUDI Prevention Coordination Service and Safe Sleep Day at sudinationalcoordination.co.nz

Safe sleep guidelines for babies:

1. PLACE baby in their own bed for every sleep (and close to parents/caregivers at night)
2. ELIMINATE smoking in pregnancy, in the whānau and in the home
3. POSITION baby on their back for sleep
4. ENCOURAGE and support Mum, so baby is breastfed

Always follow these safe-sleep routines for your baby and your baby’s bed:

Make sure your baby is safe

• Always sleeps on their back to keep their airways clear
• Is in their own bed such as a bassinet, wahakura, pēpi-pod® or other baby-safe sleep bed
• Has a parent/caregiver who is alert to their needs and free from alcohol or drugs

Make sure your baby’s bed is safe

• Has a firm and flat mattress – to keep baby’s airways open
• Has no gaps between the frame and the mattress – that could trap or wedge baby
• Has nothing in the bed that might cover baby’s face or lift their head – no pillows, toys, loose bedding or bumper pads
• Is close to the parents/caregivers at night for the first 6 months of life

READ MORE: healthed.govt.nz/products/keep-your-baby-safe-during-sleep