Safe Infant Sleeping Standards

The South Australian Safe Infant Sleeping Standards (PDF 865KB) were developed by a core group of experts from Government and non-Government sectors in South Australia under the direction of the South Australian Safe Sleeping Advisory Committee.

The five Standards contained in this document provide clarity and direction for staff and volunteers working with families and caregivers with infants under 12 months of age.

Standard 1

All staff will place well infants under 12 months on their back to sleep from birth, never on the front (tummy) or side, unless there are medically indicated reasons.

Standard 2

All staff will be fully informed about the risks of sharing the same sleep surface with infants and promote the placing of infants for sleep in an Australian Standards compliant cot in the same room as the parents for the first six to 12 months.

Standard 3

All staff will consider the social and life circumstances of each family when promoting safe sleeping practices and ensure the information is provided in ways that are culturally accessible and can be easily understood by that family.

Standard 4

All staff will ensure that expectant and new parents are made aware of the strong association between smoking and the increased risk of SIDS and are supported and referred to smoking cessation or reduction programs.

Standard 5

All staff will ensure that expectant and new parents are made aware of the benefits of breastfeeding as a protective factor in reducing the risk of SIDS and are later given support to breastfeed.

Standard 6

All staff will provide families, parents and caregivers with accurate information about a safe cot, with a safe mattress, safe bedding and in a safe environment.

Document outlines safe sleeping practices and evidence about risk factors in the infant sleeping environment

This document is intended as a practical resource and outlines essential safe infant sleeping practices and environments alongside the respective challenges they pose for parents and staff.

The Standards are informed by the available evidence about risk factors in the infant sleeping environment as well as current professional practice and consumer needs and apply to all families with infants from birth through to 12 months of age.

Promotes the safest sleeping practices and environments for infants under 12 months

The South Australian Safe Infant Sleeping Standards support all staff and volunteers in community and hospital settings, whose work brings them in contact with parents and caregivers of infants under 12 months of age, to effectively promote and model the safest infant sleep practices and environments.