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Pillows, loose blankets, cot bumpers or sleep positioners should not be inside a baby's cot. Alamy Stock Photo

Parents warned against unsafe sleeping arrangements for babies as temperatures plummet

The Northern Ireland Public Health Agency has advised against the use of duvets or more blankets can risk overheating.

PARENTS AND CARERS of babies are being reminded by the Public Health Agency (PHA) that the use of a moses basket or cot in the same room as whoever is caring for them is the safest place for a baby to sleep.

The PHA is advising against the use of duvets or any adult bedding and warning against piling blankets on babies who are too cold inside of baby sleeping bags.

Instead, the agency recommends that extra layers of clothing be added to babies who are cold at night and that sheets and blankets be tucked in, no higher than the shoulders, to avoid overheating.

A status Yellow cold weather and ice warning was activated by Met Éireann this weekend and was in place until late this morning. Temperatures are expected to drop to below zero tonight, reaching as low as -5 degrees.

In Northern Ireland, the UK’s Met Office has issued a similar warning, predicting snowfall and low temperatures. The warning is set to remain in place until tomorrow morning. 

As temperatures plummet, the PHA is advising parents of babies and small children to discuss appropriate sleeping arrangements with their midwife or health visitor.

“It is really important to keep your baby’s sleep environment safe throughout the winter months,” the PHA’s nurse for safeguarding children Emily Roberts said.

“Especially when there may be a temptation to add more blankets or to bring very young babies into bed with you for extra heat,” she added.

The agency is reminding parents to never sleep on an armchair or sofa with a baby, not to allow smoking, drinking or drugs to share a bed with a baby and never put pillows, loose blankets, cot bumpers or sleep positioners inside a baby’s cot.

They also added that room temperatures should remain between 16 and 20 degrees with light bedding or a lightweight, well-fitting baby sleeping bag fitted with neck and armholes, and no hood.

“We know that babies are unable to fully regulate their body temperature so keep an eye on room temperature and adjust their bedding or sleepwear accordingly,” Roberts said.

She added: “By following some simple steps as part of a sleep-time routine, they’ll become second nature and help reduce the risk of sudden infant death.”

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    Mute AN other
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    Aug 26th 2014, 10:43 AM

    That is the nature of insurance sure

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    Mute Anthony Byrne
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    Aug 26th 2014, 9:32 PM

    As opposed to the insurance against nature.

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    Mute Winston Teardrops
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    Aug 26th 2014, 11:02 AM

    These guys sicken me the way they insist on guaranteeing margins for themselves. Imagine a bike rental guy in the Aran Islands insisting on charging all tourists €50 per hour because ‘last year was a rainy summer’. FBD tried to hike mine but I went to Chill. The industry have the public over a barrel with the compulsory nature of their product. Its analogous to me placing a bet with a bookie, losing, and then robbing the place at gunpoint to get my money back. Yet governments around the world are afraid to stop them. Banks have the same ‘risk is not for us to suffer’ attitude.

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    Mute ISBA
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    Aug 26th 2014, 11:22 AM

    That is all to do with Governments obsession with Corpocracy – the interest of the consumer always plays seconds fiddle to Corporations – why could shareholders not be told there had been a bad winter and dividend increases are being withheld for once – rather than effectively steal the losses
    back off consumers.

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    Mute Norman Hunter
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    Aug 26th 2014, 11:08 AM

    They already hiked renewal premiums on my car and home insurance and that is why I’m no longer an FBD customer.

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    Mute Simon Connolly
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    Aug 26th 2014, 3:24 PM

    You’re right Jayo….it’s on the consumer’s interest to play insurance companies off one and other….I got my renewal from FBD a few weeks ago, checked around for another quote elsewhere, which in almost ever instance was coming in quite a bit cheaper….rang them back and told them that I didn’t want to move but because it was cheaper with someone else, that I had no other option…..they end up matching the other quotes!! Happy days!!

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    Mute Craig Hickey
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    Aug 26th 2014, 10:35 AM

    Pretty sure it’s FBD not FDB as it’s spelled in your headline……

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    Mute vv7k7Z3c
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    Aug 26th 2014, 10:37 AM

    Thanks Craig, that’s fixed now.

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    Mute Brian Keelty
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    Aug 26th 2014, 10:39 AM

    No… still FDB. ….

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    Mute vv7k7Z3c
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    Aug 26th 2014, 10:41 AM

    Thanks Brian, it might take a minute to update on all browsers.

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    Mute David Connell
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    Aug 26th 2014, 1:56 PM

    They lost €20 million but still made €5.6 million. So how much have they made in the last. 5 years…..?

    A lot…..and yet the greedy feckers will still want an increase.

    What’s more….they will be allowed.

    DISGUSTING!!!!!!!!!!

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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
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    Aug 26th 2014, 2:16 PM

    5.6 million is not a huge profit for a company that size.

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    Mute Mike Tobin
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    Aug 26th 2014, 12:25 PM

    Gangsters…

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    Mute aido m
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    Aug 26th 2014, 12:36 PM

    Sure just ask the government to set up a usc2 to help you out I’m sure they’ll oblige

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    Mute The Hooded Biscuit
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    Aug 27th 2014, 1:30 AM

    No Nonsense.ie becomes FU.ie

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