Foundations for safe sleep
Face up, face clear
Sleep pēpi on their back for every sleep.
Make sure there is nothing near your baby’s face such as toys, loose blankets, cords or pillows.
Flat and firm
Pēpi are safest in their own flat, firm bed with firm sides like a wahakura, baby-pod, cot or bassinet.
Avoid anything that isn't made for baby sleep, such as couches, chairs, pillows, folded duvets or baby slings and wraps.
Carefully check second-hand cots and bassinets for broken or missing parts.
Free
Pēpi is safest and well when they are in an environment that supports breastfeeding and is:
- smoke-free
- vape-free
- alcohol-free
- drug-free
- harm-free
Fathers and family
All the whānau (family) help keep pēpi safe during sleep. Safe sleep is a shared responsibility that involves whānau and carers supporting pēpi to sleep safely.
Fathers, partners and whānau play an important role in supporting mum and baby.
Foundations for Safe Sleep help keep pēpi safe while they sleep.
Source: Hāpai Te Hauora
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Foundations for Safe Sleep
The image is divided into 4 sections around an illustration of a sleeping baby in a woven wahakura.
Flat & Firm
Illustration of a baby sleeping in a wahakura.
Pēpi are safest in their own flat, firm bed with firm sides, like a wahakura, cot, or bassinet.
Face Up, Face Clear
Illustration of a baby sleeping on their back in a separate sleep space.
Sleep pēpi on their back for every sleep, with nothing near their face like toys, loose blankets, cords or pillows.
Free
Illustration of a baby sleeping in a wahakura next to symbols showing cigarettes, vaping devices and alcohol crossed out.
Pēpi is safest and well when they are in an environment that supports breastfeeding and is smoke, vape, alcohol, drug and harm-free.
Fathers & Family
Illustration of a whānau sleeping together with pēpi sleeping safely in a separate sleep space beside them.
Everyone in the whānau helps keep pēpi safe while they sleep and supports them to stay well.
Printable resources
You can download and share or print a copy of the Hāpai Te Hauora resources on safe sleep.
Source: Hāpai Te Hauora
Source: Hāpai Te Hauora
More information
Visit the Hāpai Te Hauora website to learn more about the foundations for safe sleep and how to help keep pēpi safe while they sleep.
Protect pēpi with a smoke-free and vape-free environment. If you want to give up smoking or vaping, contact Quitline or talk with your health professional or whānau. Quitline can provide free support and advice to help you or someone in your whānau quit smoking. Visit their website for more information.
