Protecting Our Mokopuna While They Sleep

Many babies go to sleep and never wake up. Every year 30-40 Maori families lose their babies in this way. The information provided below can help you to protect your mokopuna, so that he or she sleeps safely through the night.

P.E.P.E

P           POSITION baby on his or her back to sleep

E           ELIMINATE smoking in pregnancy, in the whānau and in the home

P           PLACE baby in his or her own baby bed and

E           ENCOURAGE and support mum, so baby is breastfed

This simple acronym reminds us how to protect our mokopuna so that they sleep safely through the night.

P= Position baby on his or her back to sleep

Babies are 14 times safer sleeping on their backs, than sleeping on their tummies. But this can be difficult to do if aunty or nanny insists that sleeping baby on his or her tummy or side is the best thing to do. So stay strong and remember that you have the power to protect your baby.

• When you place baby to sleep on his or her back, you are helping baby to breathe.
• If you position baby to sleep on his or her side, baby could roll onto his or her tummy.
• If baby sleeps on his or her tummy, the airway can get blocked.
• Baby is safest sleeping flat on his or her back. It’s important that baby’s head is NOT propped, so avoid pillows, rolled up blankets or anything else that can flex the neck as this can block the airway.

If baby is coughing up or spilling often and you have concerns about sleeping baby on his or her back, seek the advice of a health professional.

E= Eliminate smoking in pregnancy, in the whānau and in the home

Babies from smoke free pregnancies have stronger lungs and more drive to breathe than babies who have been exposed to cigarette smoke. So being smoke free is one of the best ways to help baby’s breathing, which will protect baby to sleep safely through the night.

• Babies from smoke free pregnancies are healthier and stronger.
• Being a smoke free whanau helps baby’s breathing and protects him or her to sleep safely.
• If you smoke and you want to protect your baby to sleep safely through the night, quit smoking.
• If you want to quit smoking, there are a range of services that can help, so seek the advice of your health professional.

P= Place baby in his or her own baby bed

Where we place our baby to sleep is really important. We need to make sure that baby cannot become wedged under or in between anything and that there is nothing that can block baby’s airway. So it’s important to place baby in his or her own baby bed. Again it’s all about protecting baby’s breathing.

• Make sure there are no toys or pillows in the baby bed.
• Make sure the mattress is firm and there are no gaps between the mattress and the sides of the baby bed as this may trap baby and make it hard for them to breathe.
• Make sure that the blankets and sheets do not cover baby’s face.
• Baby is safest sleeping in the same room as mum and dad, while they are sleeping.

A range of baby beds are available that allow you to sleep next to your moko in your bed, while he or she is in a safe baby bed. For example there is the wahakura, moses basket and peepi pod.

E= Encourage and support mum, so baby is breastfed

Breast milk has been described as the perfect food because it provides many of the nutrients and antibodies your baby needs to protect him or her from illness. These strengthening properties help baby to sleep safely through the night. So it is important to breast feed up to six months.

• Breast feeding strengthens baby, which helps him or her to sleep safely through the night.
• Breast milk is free, always at the right temperature and is readily available.
• Breastfeeding strengthens the bond between mother and baby.
• Babies are healthier and stronger when they are breastfed.

For more information on safe sleeping, please visit our safe sleeping position statement listed in the policy section of our wbesite.