It's never too early to start encouraging your child to get a good night's sleep, and sleep is important for your child's health and wellbeing. Sleep is essential for early childhood development as it supports brain development, physical growth, emotional wellbeing and family dynamics.
There are lots of things you can do to make sure your baby is as safe as possible when they’re asleep:
Sleep can be a cause for concern for new parents. Midwives and health visitors will cover sleep in their face-to-face sessions but if you have any concerns, please do contact them. If you see a change in your baby’s sleeping pattern, ask your GP to check for any underlying concerns, for example, ear infections are a common cause of sleep disturbance.
The NHS offers practical advice to support parents in establishing healthy sleep habits for their newborns. This resource is especially helpful for new parents navigating the early weeks of infant care, offering reassurance and evidence-based tips for better sleep. The NHS also provide guidance on reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. The Lullaby Trust also provides essential guidance for reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It outlines evidence-based recommendations for creating a safe sleep environment for babies, including advice on sleep position, bedding, room temperature, and co-sleeping risks.