An expert has shared why parents shouldn't put a duvet over their baby to keep them warm this winter.
Thanks to rising energy bills, some households may look to avoid excessive use of the heating in favour of cheaper ways to keep the cold away.
However, using a duvet to heat up a baby could cause suffocation and experts warn that it may cause overheating, which increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
Kate Holmes of The Lullaby Trust, a charity raising awareness of unexpected deaths in infancy, told the consumer experts at Which? : "We know that the colder months can be difficult for families, and we understand it can be tempting to wrap your baby up to keep them warm while they sleep.
"However, we know that overheating increases the chances of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and research shows that it's better for babies to be cooler rather than too hot."
The NHS also warns against using a duvet due to the additional risk of suffocation as a small baby does not have the strength to push the duvet off of their face.
Their guidance states: "Do not use pillows or duvets with babies under the age of 1, as they can suffocate if their face gets smothered. They won't be able to push the duvet away."
Instead, parents are advised to use light blankets which can be layered when it's cold but can also be easily removed if need be.
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