Your baby’s sleep environment
The environment you create for your baby can play a crucial role in their ability to rest, grow, and thrive. From temperature and lighting to furniture and decor, every element should be carefully considered to promote better sleep and overall well-being.
Here’s how to design the perfect bedroom environment for your little one:
Optimal room temperature should be 16°C to 20°C
Safe and Comfortable Bedding- babies should sleep on their back. in a cot that’s free of soft bedding, pillows, soft toys, or bumper pads. These items can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
For the bedding, a firm waterproof mattress with a tight-fitting sheet is all that’s needed. It is recommended to use a sleeping bag to keep your baby warm without the risk of loose bedding. Sleeping bags can be purchased in a variety of togs (thicknesses) to suit the season and/or environmental temperature. They also come in some really cute designs!
Lighting: It is recommended that babies and children are left to sleep in complete darkness, ideally, but if there is a need for lighting then keep it very dim and soft.
Noise Control: If required to block out external noise that may wake the little one up then it is recommended to use white noise.
Room sharing- babies should sleep in the same room as their parents for at least the first six months of life.
Cot placement- Keep the cot away from windows that may cause draft in cooler months or overheat little one in warmer months.
The cots must also be kept clear of radiators.
See How to reduce the risk of SIDS for your baby - The Lullaby Trust for more information.
