Safe sleep for babies: What families and practitioners need to know about the September 2026 updates

Safe sleep for babies is one of the most important aspects of early years care, both at home and in nursery settings. While many families are familiar with safer sleep advice, updated guidance which came into effect this September 2026 under the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) places even stronger emphasis on consistent, clear and safe practice across all early years providers.

While this topic can understandably feel delicate, the purpose of the updated guidance is straightforward: to help reduce known risk factors and support the safest possible sleep environment for every baby.

At GrandirUK, safer sleep is already a key part of everyday practice, and we continue to follow recognised safer sleep advice from organisations such as The Lullaby Trust.

What is safe sleep for babies?

Safe sleep for babies refers to evidence-based guidance designed to reduce the risk of cot death (also known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related infant deaths.

It focuses on creating a safer sleep environment through:

• A firm, waterproof flat mattress in a cot or moses basket
• A clear sleep space with no loose bedding or soft toys
• Babies being put down to sleep on their back for every sleep
• Keeping baby’s head and face uncovered

These simple steps help reduce known risk factors and support babies to sleep safely.

Is it safe for babies to sleep on their side?

A common question from parents is whether side sleeping is safe. Current safer sleep advice is clear: babies should always be placed on their back to sleep. Side sleeping is not recommended, as babies can more easily roll onto their stomach during sleep, which can increase risk.

Once babies can roll independently, they should still be placed on their back at the start of sleep but allowed to move into their own sleeping position if they are able to do so safely within a clear sleep space.

How to keep babies safe during sleep

Whether at home or in nursery care, safe sleep practices focus on creating a calm, consistent and safe sleep environment.

Key guidance includes:

• Using a cot or moses basket with a firm, waterproof mattress
• Ensuring babies have their own dedicated sleep space. Room sharing (where baby sleeps in the same room as an adult but in a separate cot or moses basket) is strongly recommended for the first six months minimum
• When at home, bed sharing in an adult bed is not recommended. If it does occur or is unplanned, it is important to be aware of higher-risk situations and follow safer sleep advice
• Avoiding cot bumpers (for babies under 12 months old), loose bedding, stuffed toys, and soft bedding
• Keeping the sleep environment smoke-free
• Ensuring babies are not overdressed and maintaining a comfortable room temperature (a room thermometer can help)
• Using baby sleeping bags instead of loose blankets where appropriate

Practitioners are also trained to monitor babies regularly during sleep, particularly young babies, those born prematurely, babies with low birth weight or other identified risk factors.

Understanding safer sleep environments in nurseries

Grandir UK nurseries follow strict safer sleep environment policies to ensure every baby sleeps safely and consistently.

This includes:

• Providing a dedicated sleep space for each baby
• Using approved sleep surfaces that are firm and flat
• Ensuring portable sleep equipment such as travel cots or play yards meet safety standards
• Avoiding raised or cushioned surfaces for sleep
• Keeping clear records of sleep routines and checks

Staff are trained in safer sleep guidance and are supported through ongoing training, mentoring and regular policy reviews to ensure safe sleep practices are consistently followed. Sleep routines, checks and observations are recorded throughout the day, helping to maintain high standards and provide reassurance for families.

Staff are also trained to recognise when a baby may be unwell or at higher risk, such as when a baby’s skin feels clammy, they are unusually tired or showing changes in their normal sleep patterns. Where concerns arise, appropriate action is taken, including seeking medical advice when needed.

Why safer sleep guidance is being updated

The upcoming September 2026 EYFS safe sleep changes form part of a wider commitment to reducing sleep-related infant deaths and ensuring consistent safer sleep advice across all early year’s settings. The updates place greater emphasis on safer sleep practices within early years settings, including clearer expectations around sleep positioning, sleep environments, supervision, staff knowledge and working in partnership with families. At Grandir UK, we are preparing for these changes by reviewing policies, providing additional staff training and guidance, and continuing to work closely with families to ensure safe sleep practices are understood and consistently followed.

While rare, unexpected death in infancy has been the focus of ongoing public health work and safer sleep campaigns, including advocacy from bereaved families and national organisations working to improve awareness and practice. These updates aim to reinforce what is already widely understood: safe sleep environments save lives.

While these principles already form part of recognised safer sleep guidance, the updated requirements aim to strengthen clarity and consistency across the sector so that every setting follows the same high standard.

Working together to support safe sleep

Safe sleep is most effective when nurseries and families work together. Practitioners can support parents by sharing safer sleep advice, answering questions about infant sleep, and reinforcing consistent routines between home and nursery.

Parents are encouraged to seek medical advice or speak with a health visitor if they are unsure about their baby’s sleep, especially if their baby was born early, has a low birth weight, or if there are concerns around infant sleep patterns.

Final thoughts

Creating a safe sleep environment is one of the simplest and most important ways to protect babies. By following safer sleep advice, using a clear sleep space, and maintaining consistent practice, we can help every baby sleep safely and securely.

With the September 2026 EYFS updates well underway, the focus remains the same: keeping babies safe, supporting families, and ensuring the highest standards of care across all early years settings.

Speak to your nursery manager or key person if you would like further support with Safer Sleep information.

Additional support resources can be found on the Lullaby Trust website Home | The Lullaby Trust.