BRINGING up a baby can be one of the most challenging times of someone's life.

Whether it's your first time or welcoming a little brother or sister, new parents face numerous hurdles raising their little one.

One of the biggest undertakings is making sure your infant is getting enough sleep and, above all, stay safe while they visit the Land of Nod.

Bolton public health and safeguarding leads have teamed up to remind new parents of the best ways to protect babies while they sleep and reduce the risk of cot death.

New updated guidelines for health professionals have been issued so every pregnant woman and new family can talk to their midwife or health visitor about baby sleep.

Deputy leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Linda Thomas, said: "Although Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is relatively rare, there are still more than 300 babies who die suddenly and unexpectedly in the UK each year and the effects are devastating on those families concerned.

"Sadly, there is no advice that will guarantee the prevention of SIDS but there are a number of things parents can do to help reduce the risks."

The "simple steps" published are:

•Place your baby on their back to sleep, in a cot in the same room as you for the first six months.

•Don't smoke during pregnancy or breastfeeding and don't let anyone smoke in the same room as your baby.

•Don't share a bed with your baby if you've been drinking alcohol, if you take drugs or you're a smoker.

•Never sleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair.

•Don't let your baby get too hot or cold.

•Keep your baby's head uncovered. Their blanket should be tucked in no higher than their shoulders.

•Place your baby in the "feet to foot" position (with their feet at the end of the cot or Moses basket).

•Breastfeed your baby.

Pregnant and new mums will receive the advice as part of their regular check-ups and health visits and can also access the most up to date information via the Bolton Safeguarding Children website.

Bolton-based baby sleep expert Abi Thompson says the advice is straightforward but it takes more than a list of rules to help families through the initial stages of parenthood.

The 29-year-old mum of three spent 10 years as a maternity nurse, with prior experience in breastfeeding support, and set up maternity sleep consultancy business Baby Sound Asleep three years ago.

She said: "The biggest problem parents face is desperation. When you're going through the hardest time on little sleep and feeling your worst, everything to contend with, you feel like you can't keep up with guidelines.

"A list of rules doesn't feel like it's coming from a friendly place, instead of dos and don'ts, advice and a friendly hand make a great difference.

"Every parent goes through things differently and needs different techniques for support. It can be a struggle, I've had parents sleeping in the cot with their baby, parents sat up all night, walking miles with a buggy just to get a few hours sleep.

"You're also battling against what their parents might have done - people saying it's okay to let a baby sleep on their front, but it is not. It takes time to break old habits but once you get in the way of doing the right thing it becomes simple and part of everyday life."

Abi adds that explaining the reasoning behind the guidelines can also help, such as the importance of placing a baby on its back as it is the safest position for them due to their poor muscle control and preventing compression on their chest.

Rules on not sleeping in a bed with a baby have changed, and parents are advised to remove pillows and quilts to protect their child.

However, she said the final point on breastfeeding put undue pressure on mothers with some unable to breastfeed.

"There is a hormone in the milk which helps with sleep, but those who can't feed feel a lot of pressure," she explained.

"It is very easy to throw judgement on a parent but that judgement it is one of the biggest insults you can feel.

"Parents try their best and it will be different for everyone."

To find out more about the newly published guidelines visit www.boltonsafeguardingchildren.org.uk, or to find out more from Abi visit www.babysoundasleep.co.uk