Safe Sleep for Babies: SIDS Prevention Guide | Parenting Hub
The Red Nose safe sleep rules: back to sleep, clear cot, smoke-free, room-sharing. A clear guide to lowering the risk of SIDS and fatal sleep accidents.
Safe sleep is the single most important thing you can do for your baby. Here are the Red Nose / RCH guidelines every parent should know — clear, simple, evidence-based.
The six safe sleep rules
Australian guidance from Red Nose and RCH is built on six core rules that reduce the risk of SIDS and fatal sleep accidents.
- Always sleep baby on the back, from birth
- Sleep baby with face uncovered — no doonas, pillows, soft toys or cot bumpers
- Keep baby smoke-free, before and after birth
- Provide a safe sleeping environment: firm, flat, well-fitting mattress in a safety-approved cot
- Room-share (not bed-share) with baby for the first 6–12 months
- Breastfeed baby if you can
Safe cot setup
Bare is best — anything loose in the cot is a risk.
- Firm, flat mattress that fits snugly with no gaps
- Fitted sheet only — no pillows, doonas, lambskins or positioners
- Feet-to-foot position if using a blanket: baby's feet at the bottom of the cot, blanket tucked in no higher than chest
- Or use a safe infant sleeping bag with fitted neck and armholes, no hood
- Cot away from blind/curtain cords, heaters and windows
About bed-sharing
Bed-sharing significantly raises the risk of sudden infant death, especially if baby is under 3 months, premature or low birth weight, or if anyone in the bed smokes, has been drinking alcohol, is on sedating medication, or is very tired. The safest place for a baby to sleep is in their own cot, in your room.
Tummy time vs back to sleep
Back to sleep, tummy to play. Supervised tummy time while awake helps build neck and shoulder strength without raising sleep risk.
When to see a doctor
If you're unsure whether something in your sleep setup is safe, your maternal child health nurse can review it. If baby has reflux or breathing concerns, do not tilt the cot — discuss safe options with your GP.
When to seek urgent care
Any baby found pale, floppy, blue or unresponsive needs an ambulance immediately — call 000 and start infant CPR if trained.
When to seek help
- Baby found face-down in soft bedding
- Bluish lips or pale, floppy baby
- Pauses in breathing longer than 20 seconds
- Any episode of unresponsiveness
Common questions
Is it safe for baby to sleep on their side?
No. Side sleeping is not safe — babies can roll onto their tummies. Always place baby on the back from birth.
What if my baby rolls onto their tummy in sleep?
Once baby can roll both ways independently (usually around 5–6 months), you can leave them in the position they roll into. Still place them on the back to start sleep.