The NHS has issued a warning to parents about everyday items that could pose a suffocation risk to babies. Baby nests, pillows, and duvets are among the items deemed unsafe for infants under one year old.
According to NHS guidance, baby nests—small, narrow, portable mattresses with padded sides—are not suitable for sleep due to the danger of suffocation. Parents are advised to use a safe sleep space such as a crib, carrycot, or Moses basket, with a firm, flat, clean, and waterproof mattress that fits snugly with no gaps.
The NHS also warns against using pillows and duvets for babies under 12 months, as they increase the risk of suffocation and overheating. Instead, parents should use sheets and layers of blankets tucked firmly below the baby's shoulder level, or a baby sleeping bag.
The Lullaby Trust echoes these concerns, stating that soft or bulky bedding such as quilts, pillows, and duvets can increase the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). SIDS, formerly known as cot death, is the sudden and unexplained death of a healthy baby up to 12 months old.
Parents are also reminded to keep the baby's head uncovered during sleep and to ensure second-hand mattresses are in good condition, with a fire-resistant label and a waterproof cover.
