We all want to keep baby safe, especially during sleep and world-first safety standards in Australia aim to help parents reduce infant mortality rates due to SUDI and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
The updated AS 5407.1 and 54o7.2 for Enhanced Firmness – recognises that overly soft surfaces like pillows, mattresses, and adult beds are a risk factor for SUDI. A firm sleep surface is crucial as it helps maintain an infant’s airway by reducing suffocation risks or rebreathing of exhaled carbon dioxide. It also prevents babies from sinking into the surface, which can lead to breathing difficulties. Many products that are currently available fail to meet these now stricter firmness requirements. You can have FREE limited view of the standards for personal, domestic, or household use via Standards Australia’s Reader Room
Developed by Standards Australia committee CS-310 Childcare articles a coalition of the country’s leading experts in infant sleep safety, this is the most significant advancement in sleep product safety guidelines in over ten years. Focusing on more rigorous and expanded product testing, simplified communication, and advice on which products are safe, or not – the revised set of standards aim to help both parents and product designers and complement the already excellent work on safe sleeping education.
As part of the CFA Standards Project, Consumers Federation of Australia (CFA) engages with these issues by supporting a representative to the committee CS-310 Child care articles which revised the standard. The CFA’s representative ensures the impact on Australian consumers is always a central part of the committee’s deliberations. Find out why standards are important to consumers, and how you can Volunteer as a Representative of CFA on a Standards Australia committee.