To reduce the risk of SIDS, put baby on the back to sleep, from birth.

SAFE SLEEPING

SIDS is short for ‘Sudden Infant Death Syndrome’. It means the sudden, unexpected death of a baby. The cause of death is not known.
SIDS is the most common cause of death in babies between one month and one year of age. Most babies who die of SIDS are under six months. More babies die of SIDS in winter than in summer.
Remember, 1999 out of 2000 babies will not die of SIDS.

Put baby on the back to sleep, from birth
Sleep baby with face uncovered
Put baby’s feet at the bottom of the cot
The cot must meet the Australian Standard for Cots
Tuck in bedclothes so bedding is not loose
Keep quilts, doonas, duvets, pillows and cot bumpers out of the cot
Use a firm, clean mattress that fits snugly in the cot
Cigarette smoke is bad for babies
Taking baby into an adult bed may be unsafe. It is unsafe if baby gets caught under adult bedding or pillows, if baby is trapped between the wall and the bed, if baby falls out of bed, if baby is rolled on by someone who sleeps very deeply or who has taken medicine, drugs or alcohol that can cause them to sleep heavily
Never put baby on a soft mattress, couch, beanbag, or water bed with or without a
parent as there is a very high risk of a sleep accident
Portable cots are useful but can collapse if not assembled correctly. Do not put additional mattresses in a portable cot. Small children can become trapped between the mattresses and suffocate. Use only the mattress supplied by the manufacturer.

The information above was provided by SIDS and Kids.