Caring for your baby at night The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a cot by the side of your bed. This means you can hear your baby and respond to her needs before she starts crying or becoming distressed, you can reach your baby easily. Listen for the early feeding cues: Sucking fingers Restlessness Murmuring sounds

There may be times when your baby remains unsettled after feeds, placing your baby in skin to skin contact with you and gently rocking can provide comfort. Your partner can help with this too.

If you are breastfeeding you can offer your breast again even if your baby has just fed. Babies find suckling comforting and there is no risk of overfeeding a breastfed baby. If you have had a particularly disturbed night, try to take time out to rest during the daytime. Visitors can wait – or help by taking over chores or looking after other children while you and your baby catch up on sleep.

To keep your baby safe and to reduce the risk of sudden infant death, (some times called cot death) always make sure:

• You put baby down on their back to sleep, never on the front or side

• The cot is beside the parent’s bed for at least the first six months

• The mattress is firm and flat

• Your baby is not overdressed or covered with too much bedding (no more than you would yourself)

• The bedding must not be able to cover the baby’s head

• The room is not too hot (16- 20 degree C is ideal)

• The room on which the baby sleeps is a smoke free zone

Help and support

UNICEF - Caring for your baby at night

UNICEF - Reducing the risk