After a lot of research, though, I found that there were simple things I could do to put my mind at ease, whether Katie was having a daytime nap in her Moses basket or I was putting her down for the night in her cot. Katie and I both slept safely and soundly from then on.
Place your baby on their back
The safest sleeping position for your baby is on their back, with their feet at the foot of the crib, cot, Moses basket or pram. Doing this will make sure that their airways are open, and that they cannot slip underneath any covers (if you use them). Having read about sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), I would never put Katie on her stomach or side to sleep.
Only let them sleep on firm surfaces
As a mum, I know that babies do not tend to fall asleep where you want them to. Katie always used to drift off while I was feeding her on the sofa. As tempting as it might be to let them nap on a soft cushion (especially if you need to get up and down, so you cannot have your baby on your lap) it is always safest to make sure they have a firm, flat mattress to sleep on.
Keep the cot free from loose items
Babies have a tendency to wriggle around in their sleep (Katie used to shimmy all the way down to the other end of the cot!), so removing any loose items – like bedding, pillows, toys and comfort blankets – will make sure they can breathe freely at all times. Using a fitted sheet and putting your baby in a sleep sack will ensure they have a safe night’s sleep, as they can fidget to their heart’s content without slipping under any loose blankets.
Have a thermometer in your baby’s room
It is important to keep your baby’s room at a comfortable temperature (16–20 degrees is ideal), as this will stop them from overheating while they sleep. I always liked having a thermometer in Katie’s room, so that I could easily see if it was getting too hot or cold. I would also put her in a sleep sack to keep her at a comfortable temperature while she slept.