Infant CPR and Safe Sleep

Safe sleep for your baby

Safe sleep for babies, especially during their first year, is crucial to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related deaths. SIDS (which is sometimes known as cot death) is the sudden, unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently healthy baby.

In the UK, around 200 babies die suddenly and unexpectedly every year. This statistic may sound alarming, but SIDS is rare and the risk of your baby dying from it is low.

SIDS can affect babies aged up to 12 months old. Most deaths happen during the first 6 months of a baby’s life. Infants born prematurely or with a low birthweight are at greater risk. SIDS usually occurs when a baby is asleep, although it can occasionally happen while they’re awake.

Following safe sleep recommendations can significantly reduce the risk of these tragic events.

Safe Sleep is for parents too

At the same time, don’t forget to practice safe sleep habits yourself and get plenty of rest. A well-rested parent means a safer, happier home environment for your baby! By taking simple steps like these, you can ensure your newborn has the best possible start in life.

Nevertheless, it’s important to talk to your health visitor if you have concerns or questions about safe sleep. If you’re worried about your baby, speak to your health visitor who will be able to offer advice and support. You can contact the health visiting team on:

• Staffordshire phone: 0808 178 0611 or text our chat function on 07520 615722
• Stoke-on-Trent phone: 0808 178 3374 or text our chat function on 07312 277161

This video talks you through vital steps to keep babies sleeping safely:

It’s important to know how to do CPR on a baby in case you need to help in an emergency. Be ready for that day if it should ever come. 

What is cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)?

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Knowing how to do CPR can give your baby the best chance of survival.  

Rescue breaths must be performed on an infant, as cardiac arrest in children is likely to be caused by a respiratory problem.

If an infant is unresponsive and not breathing normally, you need to call 999 or 112 immediately for emergency help and start CPR straight away.

CPR and safe sleep guide

We have put together the leaflet below to guide you through essential steps for performing infant CPR and ensuring your baby sleeps safely. It provides clear, practical advice for parents and carers on life-saving techniques and safer sleep practices. Information in this leaflet is supported by the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP) and has been developed in support of Rowan’s Rule.

Rowan’s Rule

A family whose baby boy tragically stopped breathing at home have partnered with Family Hub Derby to create a video sharing their story and teaching infant CPR.

Like many new parents, Rachel and Christian Pepper didn’t know how to perform infant CPR when their one-week old son, Rowan suffered a cardiac arrest in October 2022. Despite NHS staff trying to save him, he sadly died a week later, as a result of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

In his memory, the Pepper family collaborated with Family Hub Derby to create an educational video that tells Rowan’s story and demonstrates infant CPR in simple steps.

Watch Rowan’s Rule – How to Perform Infant CPR, a video supported by University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust (UHDB).

Click on the guide below to download to your device:

Useful links and contact details

You can contact your health visiting team on:

Staffordshire phone: 0808 178 0611 or text our chat function: 07520 615722

Stoke-on-Trent phone: 0808 178 3374 or text our chat function: 07312 277161