The-Lullaby-Trust-Product-Guide-Web.pdf

PRODUCT

GUIDE

A guide to buying

safer sleep essentials

Product Guide - a guide to buying safer sleep essenals

Overview

Product claims and what to

look for

Claims you should ignore

Safer sleep essentials for

your baby

Products we would advise

you not to buy

Second hand baby products

British Safety Standards

The Lullaby Trust

Choosing what items your baby might need can be overwhelming.

To help with this we have put together a guide on how to choose the

products or items your baby needs to reduce the chance of sudden

infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Things don’t have to be complicated!

THINGS TO CHECK

Does the item comply with Brish

Standards? If so it should say on the

product itself, its packaging,

instrucons or website.

If the item is something for your baby to

sleep on such as a maress is it:

• Firm? (baby’s head should not sink in by

more than a few millimetres)

• Enrely at with no raised or

cushioned areas?

• Does it have a ed waterproof cover?

A QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

A few essenals that you need:

Items we would

not recommend:

• Pods/nests

• Pillows/duvets/thick

heavy bedding

• Cot bumpers

• Hammocks

• Sleep posioners

Guidance on baby products

Baby sleeping bag or sheets and a blanket

Portable sleep space

Room thermometer

Cot or Moses basket

Car seat

Mattress

The Lullaby Trust

Product Guide - a guide to buying safer sleep essenals

Product claims and what to look for

Many products make claims about the benets to your baby, and it

can be hard to sort the science from the markeng. We can help you

with what to look for and what to ignore.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

We strongly advise that any product

you choose complies with Brish

Standards, especially if you are buying

an item over the internet. A Brish

Standard tells us that the product has

passed certain tests, such as making

sure it will not fall apart or set on re

easily, but does not mean that it will

be safe when it comes to reducing

the risk of SIDS. If a product complies

with a standard it should be stated on

the product, its packaging or website.

We also advise that you carefully

follow the instrucons that come

with any product you buy. If you

buy a second-hand product, it is

very important that you get hold of

a copy of the instrucons from the

manufacturer. When a manufacturer

creates a sleeping product they

mean for it to be used in a certain

way. Using an item in a way the

manufacturer did not intend could

put your baby at risk.

Bear in mind that just because a

product is made by a name you know

or sold by a well known retailer does

not mean it is safe for your baby to

sleep in or on.

The Lullaby Trust

If a baby gets too hot this can put them at a higher risk of SIDS. The best

way to make sure that your baby does not get too hot is to sleep them on

a rm, at surface, on their back, with bedding and clothing that is suitable

for the room temperature. If you follow this guidance the breathability and

temperature regulaon of a sleep surface does not need to be a consideraon.

Rather than being breathable,

it is more important that a

maress is waterproof

or has a ed waterproof

cover. A ed waterproof

cover helps to stop bacteria

building up inside the maress

so there is less risk of infecon,

which may increase the risk

of SIDS.

‘Breathability’/Temperature regulation

CLAIMS YOU

SHOULD IGNORE

For red parents, any product claiming to help your baby sleep for

longer might sound like a good idea. However, it is normal for babies

under one (or somemes even older) to wake during the night,

parcularly if they are breased.

Encouraging babies to sleep for longer and more deeply than is normal

for their stage of development may aect their ability to wake up if

something is wrong, such as if their mouth and nose become covered.

This inability to wake easily from sleep is thought to be linked to SIDS.

Anything that claims to help baby

sleep longer/more deeply

Product Guide - a guide to buying safer sleep essenals

There are no standards that look specically at whether a product

decreases or increases the risk of SIDS; most cover other issues such as

the construcon of the item, chemicals or re safety.

To reduce the risk of SIDS, pick products that allow you to follow

safer sleep advice such as baby sleeping bags, which stop babies from

wriggling under covers.

When checking a product is safe for baby to sleep on, remember the

simple rule: rm, at and waterproof.

A baby’s head is so and can naturally become aened, which can worry

some parents. A product should not be needed to prevent or reduce this,

but if you are worried you should speak to your doctor or health visitor. If a

product is so enough to reduce at-head syndrome it is so enough to cause

a baby to overheat, which increases the chance of SIDS. Anything so in a cot

can also increase the risk of suocaon.

Allowing your baby plenty of supervised tummy me when awake is a way

you can help to avoid or lessen the eect of at-head syndrome, without

increasing the risk of SIDS.

Claims that a product will decrease the risk of SIDS are almost always not

true. It depends on what the product is being compared to. We would

advise parents to be cauous about any product that says it will reduce

the risk of SIDS. However, any product that conforms to safer sleep advice

(such as the recommended items on pages 6-8) will be less risky than one

that does not.

‘Safe/safer’(for baby)

‘Reduces the risk of flat-head

syndrome’ (plagiocephaly)

‘Reduces risk of SIDS’/‘Reduces

environmental factors associated with SIDS’

The Lullaby Trust

COT AND MATTRESS

It is important that the maress is rm, enrely at, and waterproof,

with no so or cushioned areas, parcularly around baby’s head.

So maresses are known to increase the risk of SIDS. They make it

harder for babies to lose body heat, which can cause them to become

too hot.

The surface of the maress should be rm enough that when your

baby is placed on it, their head does not sink in more than a few

millimetres.

Three key questions you could ask are:

If you choose a second hand maress make sure it has been stored

somewhere clean, dry and smoke-free.

THERE ARE JUST A FEW

ESSENTIALS YOU NEED:

For safer sleep you don’t need to buy lots of

products or spend more on expensive items.

1. Is it firm? 2. Is it flat?

3. Does it have a fitted waterproof cover?

Product Guide - a guide to buying safer sleep essenals

PORTABLE SLEEP SPACE

(Moses basket/ travel cot/

carry cot)

We advise that your baby is in the same

room as you when they sleep – day and

night. If you choose a Moses basket or

travel cot follow the maress advice on

p7, and don’t add extra padding.

BABY SLEEPING BAG OR SHEETS AND

A BLANKET

Baby sleeping bags are a good opon as they prevent your baby’s

head from being covered by wriggling under bedding. You can

choose dierent togs for dierent seasons to help keep your baby at

the right temperature. You can also select dierent sizes depending

on the age of your baby.

It is important that the baby sleeping bag ts well around the

shoulders so that your baby’s head does not slip down into the bag.

No extra bedding is needed.

Blankets are ne as an alternave as long as they aren’t too thick or

doubled over, so there is no chance of overheang. If using blankets,

make sure they are rmly tucked in and come up no higher than the

shoulders. Sleep your baby in the ‘feet-to-foot’ posion (baby’s feet

against the foot of the cot) to avoid their face becoming covered by

loose bedding.

The Lullaby Trust

ROOM THERMOMETER

Any room a baby sleeps in should

be between 16°C and 20°C. A room

thermometer can help to avoid

your baby geng too hot or cold.

PRAM

Babies are safest sleeping at

and on their backs. Like all

places where your baby may go

to sleep, make sure the maress

is rm, at and waterproof.

CAR SEAT

Car seats are essenal for

safety when travelling, but

babies should not sleep in a car

seat for long periods as many

aren’t at, which can mean

babies are slumped over.

On longer journeys give your

baby regular breaks and if

possible have an adult sit with

the baby in the back of the car,

or use a mirror so you are able

to keep an eye on them.

Product Guide - a guide to buying safer sleep essenals

PILLOWS/DUVETS/

THICK HEAVY

BEDDING

Duvets, cot quilts and pillows

have been shown to increase

the risk of SIDS and are not

recommended for babies

under 12 months.

PODS/NESTS

Pods or nests are a soer type of sleep surface somemes used

instead of or in addion to a maress, with areas that are raised or

cushioned. When sleeping, babies shouldn’t lie on or have anything

so around them, parcularly their heads, as this can cause them to

overheat and increases the risk of SIDS.

So, squishy materials can also cover baby’s mouth and nose if they

are pressed against it.

It is also important to remember that while there is a Brish Standard

for cot maresses, there is no standard for pods or nests as a

sleeping place for babies.

PRODUCTS THAT WE WOULD

NOT ADVISE YOU TO BUY:

The Lullaby Trust

COT BUMPERS

Cot bumpers pose a serious risk

to babies. Accidents have been

caused by babies becoming

entangled in the es or material.

Your baby’s cot should be kept

clear to be as safe as possible.

If the cot meets the Brish

Standard in terms of shape,

build, and spacing of the bars,

this helps to lower the risk of a

baby injuring themselves on the

cot sides.

HAMMOCKS

Hammocks are not a rm at

surface for babies to sleep on,

which we know is safest for

babies because it reduces the

risk of SIDS.

SLEEP POSITIONERS

Babies should not be slept on

any surface that straps or

holds them in one posion,

whether that is on their back,

front or side.

Some products are sold that

claim to help babies relax by

holding them in posion on

their tummy. However, it is

very risky if babies fall asleep on

their tummies, so we strongly

recommend you do not use any

item that does this.

We also advise against weighted

bedding such as weighted

swaddles, weighted blankets and

weighted baby sleeping bags.

Product Guide - a guide to buying safer sleep essenals

SECOND HAND

BABY PRODUCTS

We know many people don’t buy everything brand new for their baby-

whether you are deciding to use a second-hand product for cost saving or

environmental reasons or you have been gied a used baby sleep product

from friends or family or are shopping online, there are a few things to be

aware of before you use something pre-owned:

INSTRUCTIONS:

Make sure you get hold of and read the products’ instrucons

before using the product. They can oen be downloaded from the

manufacturer’s website, just ensure they are from the products’

manufacturer. It’s best to avoid videos people have posted on social

media about the product as they may not be accurate or follow the

way the manufacturer intended the product to be used.

STANDARDS:

Make sure the product meets the relevant Brish safety standards.

Many items on social media marketplaces or sites that sell pre-owned

products may not meet these standards. If a product complies with a

standard it should be stated on the product, its packaging or website.

SAFETY:

Search online to ensure the product hasn’t been recalled or deemed

unsafe to use.

ALL IN ONE PIECE:

Make sure the product is in good condion with no broken or missing

parts.

The Lullaby TrustThe Lullaby Trust

MATTRESSES

Research has suggested an

increased chance of sudden

infant death syndrome

(SIDS) when using a second-

hand maress brought

in from outside of the family home, although the link is not yet

proven. Generally, we would advise it is safest to have a new maress

for each baby. However, we know this is not always possible.

To help reduce the risk, we’ve put a checklist together for you.

The second-hand maress should:

Have a well fitting 100% waterproof cover to protect from any

accidents and spillages seeping into the core of the mattress.

Have no rips or tears.

Be in good condition and doesn’t look like it has water damage.

Still be firm and flat and not sagging in places.

Make sure the mattress fits the cot or Moses basket with no

gaps so there is no risk of baby getting trapped.

Make sure it has a fire-resistant label on it.

CAR SEATS

We don’t recommend buying

or using a second-hand car seat

as it might not be obvious that

it’s been in an accident. Some

damage may not be visible. Even

wear and tear over me can aect

the safety of the car seat and its

ability to protect your baby.

Product Guide - a guide to buying safer sleep essenals

BRITISH SAFETY

STANDARDS

We strongly advise that any product you choose complies with

British Standards, especially if you are buying an item over the

internet. A British Standard tells us that the product has passed

certain tests, such as making sure it will not fall apart or set on

fire easily, but does not mean that it will be safe when it comes to

reducing the risk of SIDS. If a product complies with a standard, it

should be stated on the product, its packaging or website.

When a manufacturer creates a sleeping product, they mean for it to be used in

a certain way. Using an item in a way the manufacturer did not intend could put

your baby at risk. For example, adapng a cot and aaching to an adult bed.

Do not use products (even a compliant product) that has adaptaons or added

décor such as gems, fur, etc as these oen pose a risk you are not aware of.

Second-hand products should be smoke and pet free.

Bear in mind that just because a product is made by a name you know or sold by

a well-known retailer does not mean it is safe for your baby to sleep in or on.

COTS - BS EN 716:2017

MOSES BASKETS, CARRY COTS - BS EN 1466:2014

BEDSIDE CRIBS - Since 2020, all bedside cribs should meet the new

crib safety standard BS EN 1130:2019, meaning cots should no longer

have a side that fully drops down

MATTRESSES - BS 7177:2008+A1:2011

CAR SEAT - ECE Regulaon 44.04 (or R 44.03) or to the new i-size

regulaon, R129. Look for the ‘E’ mark label on the seat

SLEEPBAGS - BS EN 16781:2018

Safety Standards for Baby

Sleep Products

The Lullaby Trust

Search ‘product recalls’ on GOV.UK to see if any problems

have been identified with a potential purchase.

If you need baby items, you can get help from a baby bank. A baby

bank is like a food bank but for baby essenals and are for families

who need help. They provide pre-owned items for newborns to

5-year olds, donated from the local community. These products

include sleeping products such as cots, travel cots and Moses

baskets. If you are in contact with any professionals, ask them to

refer you to a baby bank. You can also contact your local baby bank

directly and you may be able to self-refer. Baby banks should provide

informaon about the product but if not, ask the sta.

Little Village – littlevillagehq.org is based in London but you can

also use their website to search for your local baby banks.

The Lullaby Trust

For more info on sleeping

products scan here

BABY BANKS

The Lullaby Trust

www.lullabytrust.org.uk

020 7802 3200

0808 802 6869 (Freephone)

The Lullaby Trust receives nancial support from a small number of baby product

manufacturers. Our relaonships with them do not in any way inuence our safer

sleep advice, which is informed by scienc research. Funding from companies helps

us to provide free safer sleep advice and support bereaved parents. We only associate

with companies that support our safer sleep message and produce products that

we consider to be safe. The images in this booklet are of products produced by our

sponsors. Informaon on our corporate supporters can be found here

www.lullabytrust.org.uk/support-us/corporate-fundraising/meet-our-corporate-

partners/

To read the research and evidence behind this guide go to

www.lullabytrust.org.uk/research/evidence-base

You can sign up for

NHS-approved advice

on pregnancy, birth and

beyond delivered direct

to your phone by visiting

www.nhs.uk/start4life

or speak to your health

visitor, practice nurse or

midwife.

The Lullaby Trust

Registered charity no: 262191