The environment your baby sleeps in is very important for a number of reasons. Good, safe conditions in the nursery can help your baby to sleep for longer and get better quality rest, as well as lowering the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

There are several things you can do to improve sleeping conditions for your baby. For example, you should consider using:

• Blackout blinds. Until your baby adapts to a regular night-time sleeping pattern, light levels in the nursery can disrupt sleep. Standard blinds and curtains let too much light through, which is why blackout blinds are used to block out all light and leave a completely dark room.

• Bed rails and bed guards. These are essential safety devices that should be fitted to every cot and child’s bed in order to keep your child safe whilst he or she sleeps.

• Air purifiers. Using devices such as air purifiers can improve air quality in the nursery and thereby combat allergies and respiratory problems, as well as neutralising unpleasant odours. You can also use either a humidifier or a dehumidifier to balance moisture levels in the room.

• Peaceful lighting. If your baby is having trouble sleeping in complete darkness (achieved via blackout blinds), you may want to try soothing them to sleep with a gently glowing, ambient nightlight.

As well as increasing comfort and safety, setting up the sleeping conditions in the nursery in this way is also an important part of establishing a regular sleeping pattern for your baby.