Key messages

  • Safe sleeping practices significantly reduce the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI).
  • Health professionals play a vital role in supporting families by providing consistent, evidence-based guidance throughout pregnancy and the postnatal period and by modelling safe sleep environments in maternity and neonatal settings.
  • Ensuring that all parents and caregivers have access to current accurate, evidence based, culturally sensitive information and resources, supports parents and caregivers to make informed decisions about infant sleep.
  • It is recognised that co-sleeping (sharing the same sleep space) is a valued cultural practice that may offer benefits such as enhanced maternal-infant bonding, support for breastfeeding, and improved mental wellbeing.
  • By empowering families with knowledge and support tailored to their individual circumstances, including risk factors for SUDI, safer sleep for all infants can be promoted while respecting diverse parenting practices.

Where a dedicated guideline has not been developed, the Expert Working Group endorses the use of established, evidence‑based resources. For key topics including jaundice, formula preparation, and Infant Safe Sleeping, links to trusted external sources are provided to support consistent, evidence‑informed practice.

Guidelines for MCH Services and health professionals 

The Consultative Council on Obstetric and Paediatric Mortality and Morbidity (CCOPMM), and Safer Care Victoria (SCV) have reviewed and endorsed existing guidance and resources to direct Victorian healthcare professionals, parents and families to consistent evidence-based advice and information on infant safe sleeping:

Consumer information

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