About Us
About Us
Research-Based
Basis is a project of the Durham Infancy and Sleep Centre (DISC), in the Department of Anthropology at Durham University, UK. We are an academic project aiming to bring the research to you.
This page covers the BASIS’s aims, origins, research and impact, resources for if you are interested in learning more about evolutionary infant sleep research, and introduces the BASIS team.
Ways to stay up to date on our research and activities:
Click through our About Us page:
Our mission
BASIS (the Baby Sleep Information Source) website provides access to research-based evidence about biologically normal infant sleep, in forms that are accessible to parents and health practitioners, supported by references to research relevant to families in the UK.
We consider ‘biologically normal infant sleep’ as being the sleep of babies who are exclusively or predominantly breastfed to at least 6 months of age and cared for in a responsive manner. We do not consider sleep training methods that require leaving babies alone for sleep in the first year of life to be biologically normal.
Terminology and Inclusivity
We hope that people of all gender identities and family formations can gain insights from our research-based evolutionary approach to infant sleep. As you click through the BASIS website you will see language discussing mothers, parents, caregivers and the babies in their care. We recognise each of these terms have distinct definitions, carry their own connotations, and not all are representative of every person who may be caring for an infant. Although our evidence base is influenced by influenced by the studies which we cite — and their study criteria, definitions, and language — inclusive language matters and we attempt to use varied terms that capture various people’s experiences as we translate the research accurately.
Read more about the cultural influences on research designs and topics here. Please get in touch with if you have any comments or queries at [email protected]
Origins of BASIS
BASIS began as the Infant Sleep Info Source (ISIS) website project, drawing on the combined experience of Professor Helen Ball and her team at the Durham Infancy & Sleep Centre (formerly known as the Durham University Parent-Infant Sleep Lab), and senior representatives from La Leche League, NCT, and UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative, all being organisations working directly in the fields of parent-support and health professional training in the UK. All three organisations are experienced in the provision of online information to parents and/or health care providers (midwives, clinicians, health visitors etc.).
Our Research and Impact
Click through posters created in May 2025 for the ‘How Babies Work’ Conference organised by Durham Infancy Sleep Centre that highlight the origins of BASIS, and research conducted by Durham Infancy Sleep Centre on sleep in the post-natal ward, co-sleeping, SUDI & SIDS prevention, re-defining normal sleep, and associated references.
Want to learn more?
If you have an interest in evolutionary infant sleep research, here are resources we recommend to learn more. Also consider clicking through our cited references page to engage with the literature.
Professor Helen Ball, Director of the Durham Infancy Sleep Centre and BASIS, published her book ‘How Babies Sleep: A Factful Guide to the First 365 days‘ in May 2025. This book delves into the topics covered on the BASIS website in further depth and is an accessible read.
The Infant Sleep Info App provides key information from the BASIS website in a handy format for mobile devices. Covering normal sleep development, sleep location and sleep safety the familiar info from the website is delivered in smaller chunks.
Download here from the Apple App Store
Download here from the Google Play store
Our BASIS information sheets provide succinct summaries of topics covered on our website. Access them here.
For health care practictioners:
BASIS offer three webinar packages, providing training on the topics of Normal Infant Sleep, Sleep, Baby, & You (parent-infant sleep disruption guidance), and SIDS and Sleep Safety. The training is aimed at health-care professionals whose roles put them in contact with parents, families and parents-to-be, although it will also be of use and interest to peer supporters, volunteers, and independent practitioners such as doulas, independent midwives, and breastfeeding supporters. Sign up to our mailing list to learn about upcoming sessions.
We also offer these packages as group bookings. If you wish to book a training package for a group of 10 or more staff please email us at [email protected]
Meet the Team
Professor Helen Ball
DirectorSophie Lovell-Kennedy
Co-Manager and PhD StudentLaura Grieve
Co-ManagerLast Reviewed: August 2025