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_At The Lullaby Trust, we're determined to reach every family and professional with life-saving advice. Decades of research has informed the life-saving safer sleep guidance we share

today. We just need to make sure everyone who is responsible for caring for a baby has access to it. _ _We are here to help keep babies safe and grieving families supported, and we

won't stop until no baby dies suddenly or unexpectedly._ THE IMPORTANCE OF FOLLOWING SAFER SLEEP GUIDANCE Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS, previously known as cot death) is the

sudden and unexpected death of a baby where no cause is found. Thankfully it is uncommon, but it does still happen. Though we don’t know what causes SIDS, we know that following safer sleep

practices greatly reduces the risk. The following safer sleep guidance is based on years of research and has saved over 30,000 babies’ lives. Our core guidance centres around the ABCS of

safer sleep. ALWAYS sleep your baby on their BACK in a CLEAR cot or sleep space. Always placing your baby on their back to sleep, rather than on their front or side, is one of the best

things you can do to make sure they’re sleeping as safely as possible. The safest place for a baby to sleep is in their own firm, flat separate sleep space such as a cot or Moses basket. The

mattress should have a waterproof cover and the sleep space should be completely clear, with no bulky bedding or toys. The only bedding needed is firmly tucked in sheets and blankets no

higher than shoulder height (with baby's feet at the bottom of the cot), or a well-fitted baby sleep bag. Beanbags, sofas, bouncy chairs, pods/nests, cushions, hammocks and anything

that keeps a baby in a seated or inclined position are not suitable sleep surfaces for babies. Babies should sleep in the same room as their parent(s) or carer(s) for at least the first six

months as this reduces the risk of SIDS and means families can attend to them if they need anything. In a nursery environment, sleeping babies should be closely supervised at all times.

Babies should also be kept completely smoke-free. There is strong, consistent evidence from studies worldwide that smoking during and after pregnancy increases the risk of SIDS. Try to keep

the room temperature between 16 – 20°C. The risk of SIDS is higher in babies who get too hot. Using a room thermometer can help you monitor the room temperature. There is further guidance on

our website on how to keep your baby at the ideal temperature. CALLING FOR CHANGE Safer sleep saves babies lives but only when it reaches families and the professionals caring for babies,

including early years workers. Not only does safer sleep reduce the risk of SIDS, it can also help to prevent accidents such as a baby’s airway becoming blocked. The tragic killing of

Genevieve Meehan, known as Gigi by her loved ones, saddened and shocked us all. Gigi died whilst at nursery and this tragic event highlights the need for a drastic improvement in safer sleep

training and regulation in early years settings. The Lullaby Trust have been working closely with Gigi's family and Tom Morrison MP to push for urgent change in early years settings.

Our hearts go out to Gigi’s family who are so bravely and selflessly speaking out to save other babies’ lives. We want everyone working with babies and young children to have the knowledge

they need to care for them, and sleep them as safely as possible. This safer sleep guide is available for childminders, nursery staff or anyone working in an early years setting. We

encourage anyone who is responsible for the care of babies to read this as an important reminder of how to reduce the risks of SIDS and fulfil their duty of care for the baby they are

looking after. We also urge parents and carers to signpost professionals who may look after their baby to this guidance. Further safer sleep guidance, and details of safer sleep training for

early years professionals are available on The Lullaby Trust website. _Jenny Ward, Chief Executive, The Lullaby Trust_ THE _MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS_ IS SUPPORTING THE CAMPAIGN FOR GIGI,

WHICH IS SEEKING IMPROVED SAFETY MEASURES IN NURSERY SETTINGS INCLUDING COMPULSORY CCTV, UNANNOUNCED OFSTED INSPECTIONS AS ROUTINE AND MANDATORY SAFE SLEEP TRAINING. TO GET INVOLVED IN THE

CAMPAIGN: CLICK THE LINK HERE OR BELOW TO SEARCH FOR YOUR LOCAL MP; FIND THEIR CONTACT DETAILS; SHARE GIGI’S CAMPAIGN WITH YOUR LOCAL MP AND ASK THEM TO SUPPORT IT. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT

THE CAMPAIGN CAN BE FOUND HERE.