Safety tips:
Infant slings and baby carriers can support closeness, bonding and breastfeeding while allowing caregivers to keep baby calm and settled during daily activities. It is important to select the appropriate sling or baby carrier suitable for your baby’s age and stage of development [15].
Safety Tips
· It is important to select the appropriate sling or baby carrier suitable for your baby’s age and stage of development.
· To ensure babies can breathe easily, slings should always be used according to the TICKS principles: Keep sling Tight so baby can’t slump down, In view at all times, Close enough to kiss, Keep chin off the chest, and with a Supported back.
Read more about Baby Carriers, Slings and Backpacks at the Raising Children’s Network: https://raisingchildren.net.au/newborns/safety/equipment-furniture/baby-carrier-sling-safety#using-the-ticks-rule-to-avoid-suffocation-risks-in-baby-carriers-and-slings-nav-title
Pacifier or dummy use
In some countries, offering a pacifier (dummy) when placing an infant to sleep is recommended, while in others it is considered a parental choice.
Safety Tips
· For breastfed infants, pacifier use should be delayed until breastfeeding is well established—when milk supply, effective latch, and infant weight gain are consistent.
· If a pacifier is attached to clothing while the infant is awake and supervised, use a short cord or clip that does not encircle the baby’s neck.
· Avoid dipping the pacifier in alcohol or honey prior to use
Immunisation
Immunisation is important for babies because it protects them from serious infectious diseases when they are most vulnerable. Vaccination helps prevent illnesses that can lead to severe complications, hospitalisation, or death in infancy. By reducing the risk of life-threatening infections, immunisation contributes to lower infant mortality and supports healthy early development.
Safety Tips:
· Immunise your baby according to the national immunisation schedule
· Speak to your health professionals if you have any concerns
Use of baby monitors
Baby monitors can help caregivers hear or see their infant from a distance, but they do not prevent sudden infant death and should never replace safe sleep practices.
Safety Tips:
· If used, monitors should be regarded as a supplement.
· Ensure baby sleeps on a firm, flat, level surface, on their back, without hazards, and caregivers respond promptly to the baby’s needs.
Travelling and car seat safety
When travelling by car, babies should ride rear-facing in a properly installed car seat inclined at about 45 degrees. This position is safest for protection in a crash, but it can cause the head to tip forward and block the airway when a baby sleeps.
Safety tips for parents:
· Have the car seat professionally installed and checked for correct head position, buckle placement, and upright posture.
· Ensure your baby’s chin isn’t resting on their chest, their face is clear, and they are not slouching.
· Take regular breaks on long trips to lift your baby out or adjust their position.
· Check that your baby is breathing easily, arousable, not too hot, and has normal skin colour.
· Never leave your baby asleep unsupervised in a car seat; move them to a safe sleep surface on their back when possible.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This material was prepared by Professor Jeanine Young AM for use by River’s Gift. The Recommendations herein align with the Queensland Clinical Guideline Safer Infant Sleep, the Raising Children’s Network and the International Society for the Study and Prevention of Perinatal and Infant Death.
REFERENCES
1. The State of Queensland (Queensland Family and Child Commission) (2025) Annual Report: Deaths of Children and Young People, Queensland 2023-24. QFCC; 2025. Accessed May 19, 2025: https://www.qfcc.qld.gov.au/what-we-do/child-death-prevention/child-death-reports-and-data
2. Queensland Clinical Guidelines. Safer infant sleeping. Guideline No. MN22.71-V1-R27. Queensland Health. 2022. (Young J, McEniery J, Clinical Co-Leads). https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0025/1166353/g-safer-sleep.pdf
3. Cowan S. (2021) Your Tube Card. Change for our Children New Zealand. Available at: https://irp.cdn-website.com/488c9a2d/files/uploaded/Your_Tube_Cards-d7440fb2.pdf
4. Young J, Cowan S, Kearney L, Watson K, Craigie L. (2020) A strategy to promote safe sleeping environments and reduce the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. (ID: 99489008702621) Final Implemetation Project Report for the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women, Queensland Government, 2018. Available at https://doi.org/10.25907/00011
5. Young J, McEniery J, Cruice D, Thompson JMD. (2022) Reducing Infant Mortality in Queensland: the impact of the Pēpi-Pod® Program. Australian College of Midwives, 2022 24th ACM National Conference: Together at the Top, Cairns, 13-15th September, 2022. Women and Birth, 35, Supplement 1: 10-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2022.07.028
6. Raising Children’s Network (2026). Protecting your baby’s airways animation. Available: https://raisingchildren.net.au/newborns/videos/protecting-baby-airways-animation [Jeanine Young was acknowledged as key content advisor]
7. International Society for the Study and Prevention of Infant Death. (2023) Safe Infant Sleep Recommendations: Evidence Based Guidelines Consensus Statement. Available https://www.ispid.org/fileadmin/user_upload/textfiles/ISPID_Safe_Sleep_Recommendations_23_Aug_2023__final_120623.pdf
8. Australian Breastfeeding Association (2026). Breastfeeding and co-sleeping. Australian Breastfeeding Association. Accessed 10 March 2026: https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources/co-sleeping
9. Australian Breastfeeding Association, KidSafe Queensland Inc. & University of the Sunshine Coast. (2024). Supporting safer sleep for babies in evacuation centres: an emergency planning resource [fact sheet]. Australian Breastfeeding Association. Accessed May 19, 2025: https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/INFO-BushfireProject-Safer%20sleep%20in%20emergencies-V1-WEB.pdf
10. Raising Children’s Network. (2024) Co-sleeping with your baby. Raising Children’s Network: raisingchildren.net.au (Young acknowledged as expert author and advisor). Accessed May 19, 2025: https://raisingchildren.net.au/newborns/sleep/where-your-baby-sleeps/co-sleeping
11. Raising Children’s Network. (2024) Baby airway protection during sleep, travel, play and feeding. Raising Children’s Network: raisingchildren.net.au (Young acknowledged as expert author and advisor). Accessed May 19, 2025: https://raisingchildren.net.au/babies/safety/choking-strangulation/baby-airway-protection
12. Little Sparklers (2024) Realistic expectations for infant and toddler sleep. Little Sparklers (Young acknowledged as expert author and advisor). Accessed May 19, 2025: https://littlesparklers.org/infant-and-toddler-sleep/realistic-expectations-for-infant-and-toddler-sleep
13. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2024) Sleep Bub Safe Campaign (First Nations Sleep Bub Safe resources: video, poster and online content). [Young was key content advisor, reframed content: death to breath, strength-based language] Australian Government, Canberra. Accessed May 19, 2025: https://www.productsafety.gov.au/about-us/our-campaigns/sleep-bub-safe
14. Barker R, Young J, Niven C, Teerds S. (Infant Safe Sleeping Working Group) (2022) Best practice guide for the design of safe infant sleeping environments: A guide for industry to reduce the risk of death and life-threatening injuries in infants. Accessed May 19, 2025: https://www.productsafety.gov.au/about-us/publications/best-practice-guide-for-the-design-of-safe-infant-sleeping-environments
15. Young J. (2022). Baby sling safety is under the spotlight – a 5-point checklist can keep infants safe. [on-line]. The Conversation. Accessed May 19, 2025: https://theconversation.com/baby-sling-safety-is-under-the-spotlight-a-5-point-checklist-can-keep-infants-safe-190971
