General information, not an individual diagnosis. Ask a healthcare professional if you are unsure about your situation.
Before childcare or a stay with relatives, check where your baby will sleep. From birth, the baby needs their own bed for every sleep; an adult bed, sofa or armchair is unsuitable, even for a short nap.
At bedtime, place your baby flat on their back. Do not use cushions or devices to hold them in that position. When they are old enough to roll independently, do not force them to stay on their back.
Choose a firm mattress that fits the bed, with a correctly sized fitted sheet. In a travel cot, keep the original mattress without adding another: gaps and unsuitable surfaces can be dangerous.
Use a sleeping bag sized for your baby. Keep the bed free of pillows, duvets, blankets, cot bumpers and soft objects that could cover the face or interfere with breathing.
Avoid overdressing the baby and keep the room at 18–20 °C, airing it daily. The sleep environment should also be free of tobacco smoke.
For the first six months, sleeping in the parents’ room is recommended without sharing their bed. After feeding or comforting the baby, put them back in their own bed before you fall asleep again.
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