Safe Sleep

Bubbaroo supports SIDS safe sleeping recommendations and is passionate about communicating the safe sleep message. It's hard for anyone to argue with the facts, that between 1985 and 2005, SIDS deaths in Australia have decreased by 83%. From 1989 to 2022 there has been an 80% decrease in SIDS deaths. These declines are directly linked to the public health campaign which promotes safe sleeping practices, and particularly the use of the back sleeping position. It's important to note that fatal sleeping accidents have not decreased in recent years. 

In the supine (back) position the upper respiratory airways are above the oesophagus (digestive tract), therefore regurgitated milk can easily be swallowed and aspiration into the respiratory tract avoided. When baby is placed on their tummy the digestive tract sits above the baby’s upper airways. If baby regurgitates or vomits milk or fluid, these substances are more likely to be inhaled into the baby’s airway and lungs.

Studies show that swaddling a baby from birth encourages baby to remain in the back (supine) position for sleeping and therefore decreases the risk of SIDS.

Research also suggests that swaddling promotes sleep and reduces crying time. Swaddling your baby can also help reduce baby’s response to pain and assist neuromuscular development.

Red Nose (formerly SIDS and Kids) Guide: Best Practices For Safe Swaddling

• Ensure baby is positioned on their back with feet at the bottom of the cot. Never place a swaddled baby on their tummy.
• Ensure baby is wrapped from below the neck to avoid covering the face.
• Sleep baby with head and face uncovered without doonas, pillows, cot bumpers, lamb’s wool or soft toys in the sleeping environment.
• Use only lightweight wraps such as cotton or muslin (bunny rugs and blankets aren’t safe alternatives as they may cause overheating).
• The wrap shouldn’t be too tight and must allow for hip and chest wall movement
• Make sure that baby isn’t over dressed under the wrap. Use only a nappy and singlet in warmer weather and add a lightweight onesie in cooler weather. For more information on What to Wear refer to the TOG/Warmth button  Click here for the Joey Pouch or here for the Joey Pod Transitional Swaddle. 
• Provide a safe sleeping environment – safe cot, safe mattress, safe bedding and smoke free environment.
• Baby must not be wrapped if sharing a sleep surface (including bed-sharing) with an adult.
• When baby is able to roll from their back to their tummy and then onto their back again during supervised play (usually 4-6 months), the use of a wrap or swaddling product needs to be discontinued for settling and sleep. The child is now able to be placed to sleep in a safe sleeping bag.

SIDS and Kids. National Scientific Advisory Group (NSAG). 2005. Information Statement: Wrapping babies. Melbourne, National SIDS Council of Australia. This information statement was first posted in October, 2005. 

Babies over the age of 6 months can usually rollover in the cot. Red Nose (formerly SIDS and Kids) recommend that once babies can roll, they can be placed in a safe baby sleeping bag (i.e. fitted neck and arm holes, and no hood such as a Bubbaroo Joey Swag baby sleeping bag). Our Joey Swag baby sleeping bag does not have any sleeves which is a safe sleep recommendation by SIDS and Kids. Keep baby’s head uncovered when indoors or in a car. Ensure baby has no head coverings, such as bonnets, beanies, hats or hooded clothing. Place baby on their back to sleep but let them find their own sleeping position. The risk of sudden infant death in babies over six months is extremely low.

Safe Sleeping Recommendations

• Sleep baby on back from birth, not on tummy or side 
• Sleep baby with head and face uncovered
• Keep baby smoke free before birth and after 
• Provide a safe sleeping environment day and night
• Sleep baby in their own safe sleeping place in the same room as an adult care-giver for the first six to twelve months of life
• Breastfeed baby 

For further information regarding the safe sleeping recommendations please refer to www.rednose.com.au

We have compiled the below video on setting up a safe sleep environment for your baby below.

Bubbaroo. Helping Babies Sleep.