Sleep restores! It enables their busy little bodies to rest and recover and therefore supports their health, physical development and immune system.

Sleep helps children to grow: children’s bodies produce a growth hormone when they’re asleep. Children often need more sleep at times of rapid growth.

It also enables their busy little brains to recharge. A well-rested brain can solve problems, learn new information and enjoy the day a lot more than a tired brain.

They become irritable, grumpy and display unhappy behaviour! So it’s in everyone’s interest to get them enough sleep.

If children consistently don’t get enough sleep, it can impact upon their ability to learn and develop.

Over time, it can contribute to anxiety and depression, and longer term issues with development.

Light sleep -> Deep sleep -> Rapid Eye Movement sleep (REM)

It might be possible to identify a child’s usual cycle and work with them during naps.

Babies and toddlers who don’t sleep enough and who stay awake for longer than they can handle end up having a stress response — an increase in adrenaline and cortisol — making it trickier for them to wind down for either their nap or bedtime.

It can also cause little ones to wake in the night or very early in the morning!

In the UK, more than 200 babies die suddenly and unexpectedly every year.

Infants born prematurely or with a low birthweight are at greater risk. SIDS also tends to be slightly more common in baby boys.

SIDS usually occurs when a baby is asleep, although it can occasionally happen while they're awake.

The exact cause of SIDS is unknown.

For many babies it is likely that a combination of factors affect them at a vulnerable stage of their development, which leads them to die suddenly and unexpectedly.

In some cases, environmental stresses are thought to be a factor: these include tobacco smoke, getting tangled in bedding, a minor illness or a breathing obstruction.

Babies who die of SIDS are thought to have problems in the way they respond to these stresses and how they regulate their heart rate, breathing and temperature.

Some sudden and unexpected deaths can be explained by the post-mortem examination, revealing, for example, an unforeseen infection or metabolic disorder.

You must know the difference between a safe and unsafe sleeping environment

It is also vital that we share our knowledge with parents to ensure that they also have the right information.

Sleeping a baby on their back (known as the supine position) for every sleep is one of the most protective actions you can take to ensure the baby is sleeping as safely as possible.

There is substantial evidence from all around the world to show that sleeping a baby on their back at the beginning of every sleep period significantly reduces the risk of SIDS.

It is therefore important that babies are put on their backs on a flat, firm mattress consistently as part of their regular sleep routine.

The mattress should have a waterproof layer which can be wiped down and kept clean

Mattress should be in good condition with no tear, holes or sagging

Baby’s sleep space should be kept plain and simple, with no heavy bedding, toys or cot bumpers.

Baby’s heads should be uncovered whilst indoors to ensure that they are able to keep the right body temperature.

Once they are trying to climb out / big enough to rock the cot, it’s time to move on.

This should be discussed and agreed with parents, and a plan for their new sleep space made.

This should have a rigid frame and base, and a firm, flat mattress, covered in a waterproof material.

Don’t be tempted to make a travel cot mattress firmer or softer by using blankets or a quilt under the baby

Consider the position of a travel cot within the environment to ensure that it isn’t against a radiator or in direct sunlight and out of reach of blind cords and hazards.

It isn’t clear how using a dummy confers protection or whether it is a maker for something else such as a change in the infant care routine

Studies have found that if a baby usually uses a dummy, they are more protected during sleep when they are given their dummy as opposed to when not.

If a baby uses a dummy as part of their general routine, it should be given for every sleep period.

You shouldn’t offer a child a dummy without checking with the parents first.

A room temperature of 16-20°C – with light bedding or a lightweight, well-fitting baby sleep bag– is comfortable and safe for sleeping babies.

Make sure you keep babies safe during hotter, summer months e.g. babies’ prams and buggies should not be covered with blankets, cloths or any cover that prevents the air circulating.

It is also against Ofsted regulations for anyone to smoke on your childminding premises (this includes your garden).

Sleeping at home in a dark quiet space will ensure they get a high quality nap every day.

Sleeping in buggies should only be on exception (e.g. on the day of a full day outing).

Babies should stay in a cot as long as possible - but will need to move out of a cot once they are no longer safe!

Once they are trying to climb out / big enough to rock the cot, it’s time to move on. This should be discussed and agreed with parents, and a plan for their new sleep space made.

Consider using a mattress on the floor (IKEA do a fold up one or this is a good example) or camp beds.

If you’re lucky, you might have a spare room with a toddler bed / single bed.

Placing cots in bedrooms is ideal.

If you are able to place children in separate rooms this will preserve each child’s sleep as long as possible but is not always doable.

Children will learn to settle in the same space.

Making the space very dark is an excellent sleep cue to children in the middle of the day and will reap rewards in how long they sleep for.

Use a night light or soft sounds or lullabies to add more sleep cues.

However, set expectations correctly with parents. Our settings follow a particular rhythm with all children gently encouraged to move towards the routine of one long post lunchtime nap. When they are younger they may need a short snooze at other times as well.

You should try to be flexible and put the needs of the child first

Maintain frequent discussions with the parents about sleep – particularly between newborns and 2 years

On the occasional full day adventures when you venture further from home, children will nap in the buggy. But this is the exception not the norm.