Safe Sleep Scotland

Safe Sleep Scotland Welcome to Safe Sleep Scotland, a learning hub & the education arm of the Scottish Cot Death Trust. Our messages relate to the current evidence base.

Welcome to Safe Sleep Scotland, an online learning hub and the education arm of the Scottish Cot Death Trust. The main aim of the site is to provide accessible and engaging information about Infant Safe Sleep and how we can help reduce the risks of SUDI. Our vision is for the site become a useful, go-to guide for parents-to-be and families. We also hope professionals, such as those in the healthca

re and childcare sectors find the website a handy resource when working with expectant families and infants. We frequently refer to the odds ratio (OR) of a particular factor either being associated with an increased risk of SUDI or protective and reducing the risk of a SUDI occurring. Safe Sleep Scotland has no agenda to drive any particular message/messages. Our aim is to reduce the number of SUDIs occurring and our mission to prevent all SUDI. We aim to report statistical findings and inform people visiting the site so that they can make their own informed choices. In basic terms if a certain factor has an odds ratio of 1 it means that the incidence of SUDI is the same with or without that factor being involved. If the odds ratio is above 1 it means that a SUDI is more likely to occur when that factor is involved. If the odds ratio is less than 1 it means that a factor protects a SUDI from happening when it is present. Of course, this is an over simplification as in the majority of SUDI many different factors have their own individual and combined effects on the likelihood or not of a SUDI happening. We have designed Safe Sleep Scotland to be effective either as a quick glance reference point, or a more comprehensive e-learning tool. No matter how you use the site, we hope find it useful! Please let us know what you think, and feel free to visit the Scottish Cot Death Trust website for more information on support, research, and ways to get involved with the charity - www.scottishcotdeathtrust.org

15/10/2025

Remembering all the babies and children who passed too soon and sending all our love and support to families 💜💙

⭐ Frequently Asked Friday ⭐ ❓Can my baby sleep in their chair swing? ❓ Chair swings and bouncers are not safe sleep spac...
10/10/2025

⭐ Frequently Asked Friday ⭐

❓Can my baby sleep in their chair swing? ❓

Chair swings and bouncers are not safe sleep spaces for infants. Due to the upright positioning your little one’s head can roll forward and restrict their airway. Any little one who falls asleep in a chair swing or bouncer should be moved to a flat, firm sleep space.

➡ For more safe sleep information, visit https://safesleepscotland.org/

🤔 Do you have a question for Frequently Asked Friday?

Every Friday we’ll answer one of the most frequently asked questions about safe sleeping. Ask your question in the comments below or send us a message and we’ll feature your question in the coming weeks.

💜Happy Grandparents' Day!💜
05/10/2025

💜Happy Grandparents' Day!💜

⭐ Frequently Asked Friday ⭐ ❓ Does having my baby immunised increase the risk of cot death? ❓ There is good evidence fro...
03/10/2025

⭐ Frequently Asked Friday ⭐

❓ Does having my baby immunised increase the risk of cot death? ❓

There is good evidence from research that having your baby immunised actually reduces the risk of cot death. It also protects them against serious infections that can cause death or serious long-term harm. Babies that have been immunised according to the UK immunisation schedule - i.e. that have received their vaccinations at the right age without delay - appear to have a lower risk of cot death than babies that have not received vaccinations, or those who have had their vaccinations delayed.

➡ For more safe sleep information, visit https://safesleepscotland.org/

🤔 Do you have a question for Frequently Asked Friday?

Every Friday we’ll answer one of the most frequently asked questions about safe sleeping. Ask your question in the comments below or send us a message and we’ll feature your question in the coming weeks.

💜Baby Loss Awareness Week 2025💜 Baby Loss Awareness Week is a wonderful opportunity to bring us together as a community ...
02/10/2025

💜Baby Loss Awareness Week 2025💜

Baby Loss Awareness Week is a wonderful opportunity to bring us together as a community and give anyone touched by pregnancy and baby loss a safe and supportive space to share their experiences and feel that they are not alone.

This year, Baby Loss Awareness Week runs from 9th – 15th October and to mark this important event we have created several ways for people to get involved. From our Lake of Light Virtual Remembrance, to our Wee Memory Walk, there is something for everyone to remember those babies and children who have passed.

To find out how you can get involved, head on over to our website https://scottishcotdeathtrust.org/baby-loss-awareness-week-2025-get-involved/

⭐Frequently Asked Friday⭐ ❓What is your advice on using sleeping bags for babies? Infant sleeping bags can be ideal if t...
26/09/2025

⭐Frequently Asked Friday⭐

❓What is your advice on using sleeping bags for babies?

Infant sleeping bags can be ideal if they fit correctly. They should fit securely on your baby’s top half, usually with buttons/poppers around the shoulders and under the arms. It’s important to be aware that sleeping bags can come in quite a varied age-range so you must make sure that it fits correctly.

It is also important to use the correct tog rating and clothing for the temperature of the room to make sure your baby doesn’t overheat. You can find a handy chart about what clothing and bedding to use for different room temperatures on our website at the following link https://safesleepscotland.org/reduce-the-risk-check-the-room-temperature-when-im-asleep/

➡For more safe sleep information, visit https://safesleepscotland.org/

🤔Do you have a question for Frequently Asked Friday?

Every Friday we’ll answer one of the most frequently asked questions about safe sleeping. Ask your question in the comments below or send us a message and we’ll feature your question in the coming weeks.

21/09/2025
⭐Frequently Asked Friday ⭐❓Is it safe to swaddle my baby?❓ Swaddling if fine – just remember to do it all of the time. W...
19/09/2025

⭐Frequently Asked Friday ⭐

❓Is it safe to swaddle my baby?❓

Swaddling if fine – just remember to do it all of the time. While swaddling provides some babies with a sense of comfort and safety, there is evidence that it can also increase the risk of cot death. If infants are not placed to sleep on their back when swaddled the risk increases.

If a baby is swaddled, they must never be placed for sleep on their side or tummy as this increases the risk of them rolling into an unsafe position and suffocating. They must be positioned fully on their back. It is likely that research which shows swaddling to be protective against SUDI is highlighting the fact that swaddled infants have been placed on their back and it is this position which is the true protective factor.

The most important thing is consistency. If you want to swaddle, swaddle consistently and remember to speak to other caregivers to tell them to swaddle your baby as well. Make sure you (and other caregivers) know how to swaddle safely.

Risks of SUDI are limited when swaddling in the supine position ONLY if it is done correctly and routinely from birth or early infancy.

If you have chosen to swaddle your baby please consider the following things:

⭐It is safest to swaddle from birth, rather than deciding to change care practices and begin swaddling at a later age.

⭐It is particularly important NOT to begin swaddling at around 3 months of age, when the risk of cot death is highest.

⭐Don’t cover your baby’s head when you swaddle. Use thin materials, such as thin cotton or muslin cloth; this helps reduce the risk of overheating.

⭐NEVER place your baby on their tummy to sleep when they are swaddled. By the age of 4 months, most babies naturally start to wriggle; swaddling should be stopped at this age as the risk of a baby rolling increases.

➡️For more safe sleep information, visit https://safesleepscotland.org/

🤔Do you have a question for Frequently Asked Friday?

Every Friday we’ll answer one of the most frequently asked questions about safe sleeping. Ask your question in the comments below or send us a message and we’ll feature your question in the coming weeks.

Join The Welly Waddle! It’s time to grab your wellies and get waddling for a fantastic cause! The Welly Waddle is a fun,...
17/09/2025

Join The Welly Waddle!

It’s time to grab your wellies and get waddling for a fantastic cause! The Welly Waddle is a fun, easy sponsored walk for nurseries, families and little feet.

How to take part?
It’s simple! Pick a date that suits you, pop on your wellies, and head out for a walk—whether it’s a stomp through puddles, a kick through the leaves or a sunshine stroll!

Why take part?
By waddling together, you’ll be supporting the Scottish Cot Death Trust, helping to raise awareness and vital funds to support families that have lost their precious little one.

Come rain or shine, it’s always a good day for a Welly Waddle. So, round up your little adventurers, pull on those wellies, and let’s waddle!

Ready to take part?
Sign up today at https://scottishcotdeathtrust.org/join-the-welly-waddle/ and we’ll send you everything you need to get waddling!

Address

Scottish Cot Death Trust 5th Floor, 5B (Main Building) West Glasgow Ambulatory Care Hospital Dalnair Street
Glasgow
G38SJ

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