The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health are deeply concerned about reports of unqualified and self-described ‘sleep experts’ giving inaccurate and dangerous advice to parents and carers of young babies.
It is vital that parents and carers are supported to follow evidence based NHS guidance on infant sleep, which is designed to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep related harms. Parents and healthcare professionals can also access a range of resources from the Lullaby Trust. Their guidance reinforces national recommendations and offers clear, consistent advice to help parents make informed decisions based on the best available evidence.
Paediatricians have been increasingly alarmed by the high volumes of misinformation targeting parents and carers on social media. We are committed to our continued advocacy work with relevant government bodies to address this worrying trend and ensure that parents and carers have easy access to accurate and clear information relating to the health and wellbeing of their children.
RCPCH President, Professor Steve Turner, said:
As a parent, it can be frightening and confusing to see so much mixed advice online about how your baby should sleep. We want to reassure families that the safest place for your baby to sleep for the first 6 months is in a cot, lying on their back, in the same room as you.
If you’re ever unsure, NHS advice and health professionals such as health visitors and GPs are there to help, you don’t need to rely on unqualified ‘experts’ online. Following trusted, evidence-based guidance is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to keep your baby safe.