Bolton parents are being urged to put their babies to sleep in the safest place.

Every year in the UK 300 babies die suddenly and unexpectedly in their sleep as a result of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The North West has the highest death rate in England and Wales.

While there is no advice which can guarantee the prevention of SIDS, there are a number of things parents and carers can do to reduce the risk to their baby:

• The safest place for a baby to sleep for the first six months is in a cot, moses basket or crib in their parents’ room.
• Place the baby on their back on a firm mattress, with their feet at the end of the cot.
• Don’t let them get too hot, keep the temperature in the room between 16°c -20°c

Falling asleep with a baby significantly increases the risk of SIDS if the parent is a smoker, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or just very tired.

To learn more about reducing the risk, visit lullabytrust.org.uk or speak to your midwife or health visitor. Some useful information can be found in this section.