• Skip to content
  • Skip to navigation
Raising Children Network
  • Pregnancy
  • Newborns
  • Babies
  • Toddlers
  • Preschoolers
  • School age
  • Pre-teens
  • Teens
  • Grown-ups
  • Autism
  • Disability

Safe sleeping: always put babies on their backs to sleep

Always put your baby on their back to sleep. This reduces the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) including SIDS and fatal sleeping accidents.

Don’t put your baby on their tummy to sleep. Babies who sleep on their tummies are at greater risk of SUDI.

Don’t put your baby on their side to sleep. Babies who sleep on their sides are at greater risk of SUDI.

Safe sleeping environment

Use a cot or a portable cot that meets Australian safety standards. Use a flat, firm and well-fitting mattress. Put your baby with their feet at the bottom of the cot and tuck in the sheets firmly around baby’s chest. Have the cot in your room for the first 6-12 months.

Don’t use quilts, doonas, lamb’s wool, pillows, soft toys, bumpers or anything that could cover your baby’s head. Don’t let your baby sleep on a couch or armchair.

Reducing SUDI risk: breastfeed, avoid overheating, don’t smoke

If you can, breastfeed your baby or feed your baby with expressed breastmilk for the first 6-12 months. Breastfeeding reduces SUDI risk by a lot.

Don’t overdress your baby. Keep your baby’s face and head uncovered. Overheating is a SUDI risk.

Don’t smoke during pregnancy or around your baby. Smoke significantly increases SUDI risk. If it’s hard to quit smoking, call Quitline on 137 848.

Languages other than English

  • Arabic (PDF: 296kb)
  • Dari (PDF: 276kb)
  • Dinka (PDF: 305kb)
  • Hakha Chin (PDF: 233kb)
  • Karen (PDF: 248kb)
  • Persian (PDF: 294kb)
  • Simplified Chinese (PDF: 270kb)
  • Swahili (PDF: 229kb)
  • Tamil (PDF: 315kb)
  • Vietnamese (PDF: 234kb)

Download printable version

Supported By

  • Department of Social Services

Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

Member Organisations

  • Parenting Research Centre
  • The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne
  • Murdoch Children's Research Institute

Follow us on social media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
Join 60,000 subscribers who receive free parenting news. Sign up now
Aboriginal flag (c) WAM Clothing
Torres Strait Islands flag
At raisingchildren.net.au we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we live, gather and work. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
  • Privacy statement
  • Terms of use

© 2006-2023 Raising Children Network (Australia) Limited. All rights reserved.

Warning: This website and the information it contains is not intended as a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified practitioner.

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation (HON) and complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information.