Foundations for Safe Sleep
(This information comes from Hapai te Hauora )
Each year in Aotearoa, around 50 pēpi die from Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) — and most of these deaths can be prevented. Māori babies are the most affected, followed by Pacific babies, with rates much higher than for non-Māori. SUDI is when a baby under one year dies suddenly and unexpectedly during sleep, often without warning. Sometimes a cause is found after investigation, but sometimes there isn't one. For whānau, it is one of the most heartbreaking losses imaginable.
In 2025, Hāpai Te Hauora worked with whānau through regional wānanga, alongside researchers, midwives, Pacific health professionals and an Expert Advisory Group. Together, they developed new Foundations for Safe Sleep that are practical, judgement-free, and culturally grounded. These foundations reflect whānau aspirations, affirm cultural identity, and put collective responsibility at the centre of keeping pēpi safe.
Here is some more information about these four messages -
Face up, Face clear
Pēpi needs their own flat, firm bed like a wahakura, Baby-pod, bassinet or cot. Always place pēpi on their back for every sleep. Ensure pēpi's face is not covered by blankets, pillows, or soft items.
Flat & Firm
Always place pēpi on their back, with no pillows, toys or loose blankets. Pēpi should sleep on a flat, firm surface, with firm sides, made for pēpi — like a wahakura, baby pod, baby cot or bassinette. Avoid anything that isn't made for baby sleep e.g. couches, chairs, pillows, folded duvets, baby slings/wraps that bring baby's chin to chest during sleep. Be careful with second hand baby beds (bassinettes, cots), check for broken parts, repairs may be needed.
Free
Pēpi is safest and well when they are in an environment that supports breastfeeding, and is smoke, vape, alcohol, drug and harm free.
Smoking in pregnancy is a huge risk for Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI), and the risk is increased by 6 times. Bedsharing where there was smoking in pregnancy increases the risk by 32 times.
The best safe sleep space for your pēpi is their own bed, in a cot, bassinet or a wahakura, baby pod on a flat surface.
Using a wahakura or baby-pods can keep pēpi safe while still being placed in the parents' bed.
Pēpi are safest when the adults around them are alcohol-free and drug-free at sleep time. Being fully alert helps us respond quickly if they stir or need support.
Keep pēpi space free from anything that makes it hard to breathe, like loose blankets, soft toys, pillows, or cords from curtains or blinds.
Keep pēpi safest with gentle hands and free from harm.
Smoke-free and vape-free whānau and sleep spaces are vital. Pēpi that are exposed to smoke and vape are less able to wake up or breathe properly in their sleep.
Let's ensure our pēpi are free to thrive.
Fathers & Family
All the whānau help keep pēpi safe during sleep. Safe sleep is a shared responsibility that involves whānau and carers supporting pēpi to sleep safely.
Whānau: pāpā, siblings, nannies, aunties, uncles, cousins
Community: e.g. Te Kohanga Reo, Early Childhood centres and babysitters etc.
Fathers, partners and whānau play a vital role in supporting māmā (e.g. night / day care, settling pēpi, household chores). Ensure a smokefree environment for pēpi: encourage fathers, partners, whānau to smoke outside and away from baby. Offer Stop Smoking support services, support them to quit smoking, achieve smokefree practices and inform whānau. Ensure fathers, partners and whānau encourage breastfeeding as a protective factor.
Face up, Face clear
Pēpi needs their own flat, firm bed like a wahakura, Baby-pod, bassinet or cot. Always place pēpi on their back for every sleep. Ensure pēpi's face is not covered by blankets, pillows, or soft items.
Flat & Firm
Always place pēpi on their back, with no pillows, toys or loose blankets. Pēpi should sleep on a flat, firm surface, with firm sides, made for pēpi — like a wahakura, baby pod, baby cot or bassinette. Avoid anything that isn't made for baby sleep e.g. couches, chairs, pillows, folded duvets, baby slings/wraps that bring baby's chin to chest during sleep. Be careful with second hand baby beds (bassinettes, cots), check for broken parts, repairs may be needed.
Free
Pēpi is safest and well when they are in an environment that supports breastfeeding, and is smoke, vape, alcohol, drug and harm free.
Smoking in pregnancy is a huge risk for Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI), and the risk is increased by 6 times. Bedsharing where there was smoking in pregnancy increases the risk by 32 times.
The best safe sleep space for your pēpi is their own bed, in a cot, bassinet or a wahakura, baby pod on a flat surface.
Using a wahakura or baby-pods can keep pēpi safe while still being placed in the parents' bed.
Pēpi are safest when the adults around them are alcohol-free and drug-free at sleep time. Being fully alert helps us respond quickly if they stir or need support.
Keep pēpi space free from anything that makes it hard to breathe, like loose blankets, soft toys, pillows, or cords from curtains or blinds.
Keep pēpi safest with gentle hands and free from harm.
Smoke-free and vape-free whānau and sleep spaces are vital. Pēpi that are exposed to smoke and vape are less able to wake up or breathe properly in their sleep.
Let's ensure our pēpi are free to thrive.
Fathers & Family
All the whānau help keep pēpi safe during sleep. Safe sleep is a shared responsibility that involves whānau and carers supporting pēpi to sleep safely.
Whānau: pāpā, siblings, nannies, aunties, uncles, cousins
Community: e.g. Te Kohanga Reo, Early Childhood centres and babysitters etc.
Fathers, partners and whānau play a vital role in supporting māmā (e.g. night / day care, settling pēpi, household chores). Ensure a smokefree environment for pēpi: encourage fathers, partners, whānau to smoke outside and away from baby. Offer Stop Smoking support services, support them to quit smoking, achieve smokefree practices and inform whānau. Ensure fathers, partners and whānau encourage breastfeeding as a protective factor.
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