Sudden Infant Death used to be a mystery but thanks to research we now know a lot more about risk factors and how to keep babies safe.

Top 10 Tips

1. Make sure your baby’s environment is smoke-free.

2. Breastfeed your baby for as long as possible.

3. Put your baby to sleep on their back and ensure their face is clear.

4. Don’t put babies to sleep on couches, tri-pillows, bean bags or water beds.

5. Don’t leave your baby to sleep in their car seat once you’ve reached your destination.

6. If you are swaddling your baby, fold their arms so their hands are up beside their face.

7. Have your baby sleeping in your room at night for the first six months if possible.

8. A safe co-sleeping option is the wahakura, a woven bassinet based on Kaupapa Maori.

9. The pepi-pod is another low-cost, safe sleeping option for those who want their baby in bed with them.

10. Keep your baby’s environment drug and alcohol-free.