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Sleep bub safe resources aim to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and carers with information to help bub sleep safe. We also have information about where to go if you have questions on safe sleep practices.

The resources on this page were created together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and child health advocates.

Sleep bub in a way that helps them breathe easily

Find tips to sleep bub in a safe way in this video.

There’s lots to think about to keep bub safe.

And sleep is a big part.

You can help make sleep safe.

It’s about the way bub sleeps.

Keep bub breathing easily while they sleep.

Sleep them on their back, on a firm, flat, level surface.

Keep bub’s sleep space clear.

Check on bub.

Watch them if they are in a bouncer, swing, or rocker.

These are just for play time, take bub out if they fall asleep.

They can cause bub’s chin to drop to their chest and stop air from getting in when they are asleep.

Bub also needs to sleep safely when they are out and about.

If you’re driving, make sure bub’s in the right position when you put them in their car seat and check on them regularly – especially if you’re driving for a long time.

Safe sleep makes a strong bub.

Sleep them safe. In a safe place, in a safe way.

If you need to know more, yarn with your midwife, Aboriginal health practitioner, or health worker. They can help.

Visit Baby Product Safety for more information on safe sleep.

Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.

Sleep bub on their back on a safe surface

  • Put bub to sleep in their own space, on their back, on a flat, firm and level surface. This helps keep airways open.
  • Stay close and keep an eye on bub – even when they sleep.
  • Keep bub’s sleep space clear. Remove any loose items from bub’s sleep space, like pillows, toys, and loose bedding. These can move around and cover bub’s face, blocking their airways.
  • If you use a blanket when bub is in a cot, bassinet or baby mattress, put their feet at the bottom of the sleep space and tuck the blanket firmly under the mattress, keeping their arms free.
  • If you need to co-sleep, make sure the sleep surface is flat and let bub have their own bedding. Using a sleep sack might be easier, as it doesn’t need to be tucked in.

Watch bub if they’re in a bouncer, swing or rocker

  • Bouncers, swings and rockers are designed for play, not sleeping. If bub falls asleep, take them out and lay them flat in their sleep space.

Keep bub sleeping safe when out and about

  • When in a car, place bub in their car seat, in a position that keeps their airways open and clear. Check on bub regularly to make sure their chin has not dropped to their chest.
  • When in a pram, keep an eye on bub. If they fall asleep, lay the pram flat.
  • If you use a sling or baby carrier, make sure bub is positioned close and tight with their back and head supported so their chin does not drop to their chest. Keep an eye on bub at all times so you can see any change in position or behaviour.

See also

For more tips on how to make sleep safe for bub, download the Download our Sleep bub safe product safety campaign poster ( PDF 569.84 KB ) .

For further information on:

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge Country where your bub will be, or was, born, as well as your own connection to Country. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land we live and work on and pay our respects to Elders past and present.

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Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.