Safer Sleep Week 09 – 15 March 2026
Safer Sleep Week is a national awareness campaign, aimed at anyone looking after a young baby. The campaign, from national safe sleep charity The Lullaby Trust, aims to raise awareness of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and the simple advice that reduces the risk of it occurring.
There are a number of FREE activities and drop-in advice sessions available for Wirral families during Safer Sleep Week, and year-round, at Wirral’s Family Hubs. For more information, visit Wirral’s Family Hubs.
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) – sometimes known as “cot death” – is the sudden, unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently healthy baby.
Safer Sleep Week Campaign – safest places.
Babies’ airways are vulnerable , particularly in the first few months of life, so it is important that parents and carers are aware of this and the actions they can take to protect them. The simplest way to do this is by sleeping baby on their back on a firm, flat service with no padded or cushioned areas. This will help to keep their airways open and reduce the risk of suffocation and SIDS. A cot, Moses basket, bassinet, carry cot or crib all fulfil theses criteria.
Reducing the Risk of SIDS – Safe Sleep
Parents can reduce the risk of SIDS by not smoking while pregnant or after the baby is born, and always placing the baby on their back when they sleep. One of the patterns which is known across Merseyside is the significant number of deaths which have occurred when parents have fallen asleep with babies in their bed and accidentally suffocated or badly injured them.
Safer Sleep for Baby is based around six simple steps, designed to be easy to follow and cover the main risk factors. We want all agencies involved with families to speak in a unified voice to reinforce our messages to parents and carers. Research evidence shows that the safest place for a baby to sleep is in their cot, in the parents’ bedroom for the first six months of life. Campaigns to support this have had a positive impact; the number of babies dying, suddenly and unexpectedly, reduced significantly following the introduction of the ‘Back to Sleep’ Campaign in 1991.
This campaign will show parents and carers the simplest way to create a safe sleep space for their baby that will help to protect their vulnerable airway and reduce the risk of SIDS and accidents.
SAFER SLEEP ABC’s
Always lay Baby on their back.
Keep Cot Clear of toys and blankets
Making sure Baby does not overheat
Make it a Smoke Free Zone around Baby
Keep Baby sleeping in your room for at least 6 months.
Always place Baby on a Firm Waterproof Mattress.
For further information AND advice please see details of websites –
Basis Safer-Sleep-for-babies-a-guide-for-parents
Video resources | The Lullaby Trust
Lullaby Trust – safer-sleep-advice – co-sleeping
Safer-Sleep-for-babies-quick-reference-card word
Caring-for-your-baby-at-night-web
Bereavement support | The Lullaby Trust
Professionals hub | The Lullaby Trust