When a baby is born before 37 weeks gestation, it is considered to be premature. If your baby was very premature, they may spend several weeks in a Special care baby Unit or Neo-natal unit.
Premature babies are four times more likely to suffer a cot death than babies born at full-term. It is important to follow the 10 steps to safe sleeping, to help reduce the risks of cot death. Click here to download a leaflet on how to Reduce the risks of cot death in premature babies.
- Always place your baby on its back to sleep even if they are oxygen dependent. Babies placed on their backs are not more likely to choke.
- At night, place your baby to sleep in a cot in your room. During the day, keep them close to you while they nap.
- Don’t smoke or allow anyone else to smoke near your baby.
- Don’t fall asleep with your baby in bed or on a sofa with you as this significantly increases the risks of cot death.
- Don’t let your baby get too warm. In hospital, your baby may have been nursed in a warm environment. At home you should aim to gradually decrease room temperature to between 18-20o C.
- Lightweight blankets should be used in your baby’s cot. They should be positioned no higher than the baby’s shoulders and should be loosely but securely tucked in.
- Keep your baby’s head uncovered when asleep.
- Always position your baby to sleep with their feet at the foot of the cot to prevent them wriggling under the blankets.
- Never use bumpers, duvets or pillows for infants under 12 months.
- Using a dummy at the start of every period of sleep (including daytime naps) may help to reduce the risks of cot death. If the dummy falls out during sleep, don’t put it back in. Never force a baby to take a dummy and never use neck cords. Never coat the dummy in anything. Dummy use should be discontinued at 6-12 months of age (from “due date”). If you are breast-feeding, you should wait until breastfeeding is well established before offering a dummy, (usually about 4 weeks, although this could be longer with a premature baby).
