HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury
Safe sleeping for babies
Te moe haumaru a ngā pēpi
Every year, too many New Zealand pēpi (babies) die suddenly during sleep. Learn how to make every sleep a safe sleep for your baby and how to reduce the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI).
Safe sleeping using P.E.P.E.
You can use this printable card to help you remember P.E.P.E.
Place
Place your pēpi in their own bed for every sleep, including when visiting friends and whānau (family). Have their bed in the same room as you for at least the first 6 months.
Your pēpi can sleep in a cot, bassinet, wahakura (woven flax bassinet) or Pēpi-Pod. Work and Income may be able to help you pay for a pēpi bed if you need help.
- Have a firm, flat mattress that fits the bed well and has no gaps between the frame and the mattress.
- Have nothing in the bed that might cover your baby's face. For example, no pillows, toys, loose blankets or bumper pads.
If you choose to sleep in bed with your pēpi, put them in their own bed beside you. For example, in a Pēpi-pod or wahakura. This will help reduce the risk of your pēpi suffocating while they are asleep. To find out more about a Pēpi-pod or wahakura, ask your midwife.
It is never safe to put your pēpi to sleep in an adult bed, on a couch or on a chair.
The person looking after your pēpi needs to be sober and drug-free.
Eliminate
Eliminate smoking in pregnancy and protect your pēpi with a smokefree whānau, whare (home) and waka (car).
For help to stop smoking, see How to become smokefree.
Position
Position your pēpi flat on their back to sleep with their face clear of bedding. When your pēpi sleeps on their back, they are better able to keep their airway clear and open.
Encourage
Encourage and support exclusive breastfeeding and handling your pēpi gently.
Your breast milk makes a big difference to the health of your pēpi. Breast milk helps protect your pēpi from some illnesses, as a pēpi and later in their life.
Ask your midwife if you would like some more support with your breastfeeding.
Safe sleeping when you take your baby out
Car seats or capsules protect your pēpi when travelling in the car. Do not use them as a cot or bassinet. Car seats and capsules are not safe for your pēpi to sleep in when you are at home or at your destination.
If you are out somewhere, make sure your pēpi has a safe place to sleep. Take your wahakura, Pēpi-pod, Portacot or bassinet with you, and use it on a flat surface.
Protecting your baby's head shape
When your pēpi is sleeping, turn their head so that sometimes they face left and sometimes they face right.
Tummy time, while your pēpi is awake, will help protect their head shape and make their arms strong.
Remember:
- back for sleep
- front for play
- upright for cuddles and hugs.
For more information, see Flat head in babies (plagiocephaly).
HealthInfo recommends the following videos
- Northland District Health Board – Sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) prevention
These 30-second videos were made by Northland DHB with the regional Child Health Network and Whakawhetu. They focus on how to protect our tamariki (children) so that every sleep is a safe sleep.
- TAHA Well Pacific Mother & Infant Service – TAHA Safe Sleep for Baby
A video aimed at expectant mothers and their whānau, produced with local whānau.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Canterbury Breastfeeding Advocacy Service
Provides support for breastfeeding women. The website includes information about support groups. Also, breastfeeding-friendly public places such as cafés, libraries, swimming pools, shopping malls and more.
- Starship – Safe Sleep: Birth to 11 months
More safe sleeping tips to help reduce sudden unexplained deaths in infants.
Adapted from KidsHealth as part of a National Health Content Hub collaborative. Last reviewed December 2024.
Sources
See also:
If you or your whānau have experienced the sudden death of a pēpi, see the following page for information about organisations that can offer you support:
Review key: HIUCB-33560
