Safe Sleep
As parents, one of the most crucial responsibilities is ensuring the safety and well-being of our little ones, especially when it comes to their sleep environment. In Australia, where standards and guidelines are in place to safeguard infant sleep, it's essential to understand and implement these practices to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related incidents. Let's delve into some key safe sleep practices compliant with Australian standards to help parents create a secure sleeping environment for their babies.
Australia’s Red Nose Foundation list the following six safe sleep recommendations:
- Always place baby on their back to sleep: Placing your baby on their back helps keep their airway clear and ensures their protective reflexes work properly. Back sleeping significantly reduces the risk of suffocation, overheating, and choking.
- Keep baby's face and head uncovered: Babies regulate their temperature through their face and head. Keeping these areas uncovered during sleep helps prevent overheating and ensures their airways remain clear, reducing suffocation risks.
- Keep baby smoke free, before and after birth: Smoking during pregnancy and around your baby after birth increases the risk of sudden infant death, including exposure to second-hand smoke. If you or your partner smoke, don't smoke around your baby and never smoke where your baby sleeps. For free help to quit smoking call Quitline on 13 78 48.
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Safe sleeping environment, night and day: The safest place for your baby to sleep is in their own safe space, with a safe mattress and safe bedding. Always place your baby on their back with their feet at the bottom of the bassinet or cot.
Safe cot: Must meet Australian standard AS/NZS 2172:2003
Safe mattress: Firm, flat, right size for your cot, meets voluntary Australian standard (AS/NZS 8811.1:2013)
Safe bedding: Lightweight bedding, firmly tucked in and only pulled up to baby's chest
Safe sleeping bag: Well-fitted across the neck and chest, with baby's arms out, and no hood
Ensure your Riff Raff Sleep Toy is attached securely to the outside of the cot or bassinet, never inside the sleep space. - Sleep baby in their own safe sleep space in the same room: For at least the first 6 months, the safest place for your baby to sleep is in their own safe space, in the same room as their parent or adult caregiver.
- Breastfeed baby: Research shows that breastfeeding reduces the risk of sudden infant death.
Additional safety measures:
- Maintain a comfortable room temperature, ideally between 20-22 degrees Celsius
- Avoid soft bedding materials, pillows, quilts, or sheepskins
- Check on your baby regularly during sleep without constantly disturbing them
Safe Sleep while using a Sleep Comforter
Safe Sleep recommendation 2 is to keep the baby's face and head uncovered to reduce the risk of suffocation and overheating. Therefore, it’s important to keep a baby’s sleep space clear of any items that could potentially cover their face and head (toys, loose clothing, bedding, pets) for the first 12 months.
Your Riff Raff Sleep Toy has been designed with a safety strap allowing you to tether it to the outside of your baby's cot/crib/bassinet. This means that they will still have a safe sleep space but be able to benefit from the soothing white noise or calming lullaby and have a friendly and familiar face at hand from the moment they open their eyes.
If you decide use a soft toy or comforter, you should monitor your baby or child to see how they interact with the item in their sleep space.
Remove the soft toy or comforter if your baby or child:
- covers their face or head with it,
- is unable to move it away from their face or head,
- rests their head on it like a pillow creating a chin on chest position and reducing air intake
- uses the comforter to lift themselves up in the cot and risks falling out, or
- puts the toy into their mouth, potentially blocking their airway or becomes a choking hazard.
It's important to note that while these safe sleep practices significantly reduce the risk of SIDS, they do not guarantee prevention. Therefore, staying informed about the latest guidelines and recommendations from reputable sources such as the Red Nose Organisation is essential.
In conclusion, creating a safe sleep environment for your baby involves following specific guidelines and standards outlined by Australian Red Nose Organisation. By implementing these practices diligently, parents can provide their little ones with the safest possible sleeping conditions, promoting healthy growth and development while reducing the risk of sleep-related incidents. Remember, a safe sleep environment is crucial for your baby's well-being and your peace of mind as a parent.
Disclaimer: This information was last updated August 2025. Safe Sleep Guidelines are subject to periodic review and modification based on emerging research. For the most current and comprehensive safe sleep recommendations, please consult the official Red Nose Organisation website or contact their Safe Sleep Advice Line at 1300 998 698 or email education@rednose.org.au.