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  How to let your baby sleep soundly and safely:
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Place the baby on his/her back on a firm mattress that fits snugly into the crib. Remove pillows and quilts from the crib. Use a blanket with no other covering. Let the blanket be a thin one and tuck it into and around the mattress so that it reaches only as far as the baby's chest. Make sure the baby's head remains uncovered while he sleeps. Never place a baby to sleep on a sofa, soft mattress, pillow or other soft surface.
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Remove small objects from the baby'sreach. Never leave a baby propped up with a feed bottle. Avoid pillows. The baby may not be able to move its head and may suffocate.
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This is an age of disposables. So make sure that toddlers don't tear apart disposable bibs, nappies, etc and put torn bits in their mouth. Plastic bags should be kept out of sight and out of reach.
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Toddlers should never be allowed to play with small items like stones, buttons, coins and small, hard pieces of food like peanuts. Ensure that other young children in the family do not give things to a baby or a toddler which it can put in its mouth. Maintain constant vigil.
Temperature:
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Small babies can't control their own temperature. It is just as important to avoid them getting too hot as it is to avoid getting chilled. Overheating is known to be a factor in cot death.
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If the room is warm enough for you to be comfortable wearing light clothing (16-20°C), then it is the right temperature for your baby.
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Give your baby one light layer of clothing (or bedding) more than you're wearing. If the room is hot
for you, keep your baby's clothes or bed covering light. Don't use quilts until your baby is
one year old. They get too hot.
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Although it is fine to take your baby into your bed for comfort, a baby falling asleep under your quilt may get too warm.
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Keep your baby's head uncovered indoors (unless it's very cold) because a baby needs to lose heat from his or her head and face.
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Never use a hot water bottle or electric blanket. Babies have a delicate skin, which can scald or burn easily.
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Feverish or
ill babies don't need any extra bedding. In fact they usually need less.
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Remove extra clothing as soon as you come indoors or enter a warm car, bus or train, even if it means waking your baby.
Clean air:
Babies shouldn't be exposed to tobacco smoke, either before birth or after. If you or anyone else who looks after your baby smokes, then don't smoke anywhere near the baby. It would be even better if everyone could make an effort to give up completely. Smoke is present in the air for a considerable time after smoking has taken place. Babies and young children who breathe in cigarette smoke are more likely to get coughs, asthma attacks and chest and ear infections.
One of the most tragic aspects of these deaths is that they are largely preventable. In many cases, the adult placing the baby in the adult bed is unaware of or underestimates the danger posed. The practice of co-sleeping can result in the adult rolling on top of or next to the baby smothering him or her. Follow these tips and ensure the safety of your young ones while they sleep.
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