Red Nose welcomes new voluntary CO₂ infant sleep standard
At Red Nose Australia, we welcome the introduction of the world first Australian voluntary Carbon Dioxide Safety Standard, AS 5407.3, which aims to further reduce the risk of rebreathing in infant sleep environments
“Red Nose has long advocated for stronger infant sleep product safety standards and evidence-based safer sleep messaging to help reduce the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI).
While this new voluntary standard is a positive step forward, Red Nose continues to strongly recommend that parents and carers follow the six safe sleep recommendations, as these remain the foundation of reducing the risk of SUDI.”
Loren Rushton, National Prevention and Education Manager, Red Nose Australia
CO₂ rebreathing can occur when exhaled air becomes trapped around a baby’s face and is repeatedly inhaled instead of dispersing into fresh air.
Creating and maintaining a clear sleep space is essential, keeping the infant’s sleep surface free from loose bedding, soft or padded items, toys, pillows, positioning products, people, and pets, as these may increase the risk of airway obstruction and rebreathing.
Parents should not assume that all infant sleep products currently available on the market have undergone carbon dioxide safety testing. Families are encouraged to check product information carefully and continue prioritising evidence-based safer sleep practices. Misleading terms such as “breathable” should be retired and not interpreted as meaning a product is safe.
For products or sleep surfaces where carbon dioxide testing has not been undertaken?
We recommend considering the use of a fitted, non-padded waterproof mattress protector that fits firmly and does not alter the firmness, fit, or flatness of the mattress.
While this does not replace formal safety testing or compliance with product standards, it may offer an additional practical risk-reduction consideration where testing is not available or feasible.
Parents and carers should remember that safer sleep is achieved through multiple protective layers working together
Red Nose safe sleep recommendations:
Read more on our Six Safe Sleep Recommendations here
Always placing baby on their back for every sleep
Keeping baby’s head and face uncovered
Provide a safe sleeping environment, night and day
Maintaining a smoke-free and vape-free environment
Sleeping baby in the same room as an adult caregiver for at least the first 6 months
Breastfeeding baby, if possible
Safer sleep is achieved through the overall sleep environment and safer sleep practices — not just relying on a single product feature or marketing claim.
Red Nose encourages families, retailers, manufacturers, and healthcare professionals to continue prioritising evidence-based safer sleep practices and product safety standards to help protect babies during sleep.
For safer sleep advice and support, contact the Red Nose Safe Sleep Support Line on 1300 998 698 or visit our Safe Sleep and Safer Pregnancy Advice Hub
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