Here you’ll learn about the essential safe sleep principles that every parent, grandparent and caregiver should know. Our guidelines are simple yet powerful, designed to protect the most vulnerable among us during their most peaceful moments – sleep.
When a baby sleeps safely, it’s easy for them to breathe.
Babies are still developing the strength and reflexes that help keep their airways open. Safe sleep environments help protect your baby’s breathing while they sleep.
The key idea is simple:
Easy to breathe = Safe to sleep.
Remember ABC Safe Sleep.
ABC SAFE SLEEP
— Airway
Protect your baby’s airway so they can breathe easily.
Babies sleep safely when:
✔ their face is clear and uncovered
✔ their head and neck stay in a neutral position
✔ nothing presses on their chest or tummy
Because babies are still developing the ability to move if their breathing becomes blocked, caregivers play an important role in protecting their airway during sleep.
We cannot always control a baby’s vulnerability or stage of development.
But we can control the sleep environment.
By creating safe sleep environments that protect your baby’s airway and support easy breathing, families can significantly reduce the risk of sudden infant death.
That’s why remembering ABC Safe Sleep is so important.
ADDITIONAL SAFE SLEEP PRACTICES
Keep your baby smokefree
Exposure to cigarette smoke, vaping or marijuana smoke affects the reflexes babies use to wake and respond if breathing becomes difficult.
Keep your baby’s environment completely smoke-free before and after birth.
Breastfeeding supports safer sleep
Breastfeeding provides many health benefits and is associated with a reduced risk of sudden infant death.
Breastfed babies tend to wake more easily and respond faster to breathing challenges.
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.
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
When a baby sleeps safely, it’s easy for them to breathe.
— Airway
— Airway
— Back
— Close & Clear
