Sleeping and safe sleep
Sleeping and safe sleep
What happens in the first few years of a child’s life can shape their whole life.
Baby sleep and safety
Babies have their own pattern of waking and sleeping, and it's unlikely to be the same as other babies you know.
It’s important, to know that your baby is safe sleeping. It's not known why some babies die suddenly and for no apparent reason from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), or cot death. Baby Safe sleeping advice gives simple steps for how you can sleep your baby to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Further baby sleep information and support
Baby Sleep Info Source (BASIS) present research evidence about biologically normal sleep for human babies and discuss how infant sleep may vary due to cultural behaviours and expectations, such as what babies are fed, where they sleep, and how we interpret their needs.
Guidance on safe sleeping from The Lullaby Trust:
- How to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (commonly called Cot Death)
- Co-sleeping with your baby
- Baby summer safety
- Safer sleep in winter
Guidance on safe sleeping from The NHS:
You can also read more about twins and sleep and the Lullaby Trust has information on safer sleep for twins. Additionally, you can find out more on the Twins Trust website.
Find information about safe sleeping for preterm babies. In addition, the Bliss website has useful information about babies born preterm or sick.
In York, the Healthy Child Service can provide baby and children’s sleep information and support.
The Healthy Child Service are available 9.00am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Contact them on telephone: 01904 555475, or email: [email protected].
Child sleep
Sleep is a developmental process and our sleep needs and patterns change throughout our lifetimes.
Lots of young children find it difficult to settle down to sleep and will wake up during the night.
Quality sleep is essential for children’s growth and development but for some people, this might be a problem.
Every child is different, so only do what you feel comfortable with and what you think will suit your child. There are some simple techniques you can try if you or your child is suffering from a lack of sleep.
Further child sleep information and support
The NHS has useful information on sleep and young children.
The Sleep Charity provides information and resources about children’s sleep.
Caring for Your Baby at Night and When Sleeping from UNICEF covers a range of topics, including getting some rest, night feeding, safe sleeping environments and helping baby to settle.
In York, the Healthy Child Service can provide baby and children’s sleep information and support.
The Healthy Child Service are available 9.00am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Contact them on telephone: 01904 555475, or email: [email protected].
