Day 4 – Safer Sleep and Winter Messages: Alcohol, Co-Sleeping Risks & the Think Twice Campaign

Westmorland and Furness Council sent this bulletin at 18-12-2025 08:30 AM GMT

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Thursday 18 December 2025

Day 4 – Safer Sleep and Winter Messages: Alcohol, Co-Sleeping Risks & the Think Twice Campaign

Alcohol, Co-Sleeping Risks & the Think Twice Campaign

Festive social events often involve alcohol and late nights, which can create higher-risk sleep situations for babies. Today’s briefing highlights the dangers associated with alcohol, drug use and co-sleeping, drawing on the key messages of the Think Twice campaign.

Why it's important:

Use of substances such as alcohol, cannabis, prescription medications, or illicit drugs by parents or caregivers can significantly increase the risk of unsafe sleep situations for babies. Impaired judgement, drowsiness, and reduced alertness make it harder to follow safe sleep guidelines—putting infants at risk of accidental suffocation or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Key Risks:

Impaired Awareness: Substances can cause deep sleep, grogginess, or slowed reactions, making it harder to respond to a baby’s needs or notice hazards.

Unsafe Bed-Sharing: Parents under the influence of any substance are more likely to fall asleep with their baby on a sofa or in an adult bed—major risk factors for infant death.

Environmental Hazards: Second-hand smoke from tobacco or cannabis contains harmful chemicals and increases SIDS risk. Edibles, medications, or other substances left within reach can poison children.

For Professionals:

Ask about substance use (including alcohol, cannabis, prescription and non-prescription drugs) during pregnancy and postnatal visits.
Explain the risks: Substance use can impair safe sleep practices and increase the risk of infant death.
Share practical advice: Always place the baby in a separate, safe sleep space. Keep the home smoke-free and store all substances securely and out of reach.
Reinforce safe sleep guidance at every contact.
Encourage families to plan ahead: if they expect to drink or be tired, they should arrange a clear, safe sleep area in advance. The baby must always sleep in their own safe space, such as a cot, crib or Moses basket.

The Think Twice campaign encourages parents to stop and consider safer sleep messages before going to bed after drinking or social events. Practitioners can use this as a non-judgemental way of opening conversations and supporting families to make safer choices.

Disrupted routines, late nights, and staying at relatives’ homes can further increase the chance of unsafe co-sleeping occurring unintentionally. Planning ahead is key.

Useful Links:

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For further information about Alcohol, Co-Sleeping Risks & the Think Twice Campaign, please use the following resources:

Alcohol | The Lullaby Trust
Video: Think Twice – Safer Sleep & Alcohol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkMY7VUDIZ8
Co-sleeping | The Lullaby Trust
Think Twice.pdf

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