Babies under 1 year old should not have pillows, duvets, bumpers or soft toys in their cot, as these are all suffocation hazards.

If you are using blankets you should ensure that your baby is placed in the cot in the “feet to foot” position. This means placing the baby with its feet at the foot of the cot. Blanket(s) should then be tucked in around the bottom and sides of the cot, and should rest no higher than the baby’s shoulders, so they can’t wriggle under the covers.

It is important to ensure that you only use light blankets, as over-heating can increase the risks of cot death.

Use one or more layers of light blankets (depending on the room temperature).

Remember that one blanket doubled-over counts as two blankets.

If you choose to use a baby sleeping bag you need to ensure that it doesn’t have a hood. Ensure that you choose the right size for your baby, so that your baby can’t slip down inside the neck. It is important to also choose the correct “Tog” value for the time of year. You will find details about the Tog value on the packaging. Different brands will have different Tog values – so it is important to read the packaging carefully before you use it.