This study focused on the impact of sow–piglet communication during pre-lying behaviour, piglet condition and on the incidence of piglet crushing. Eighteen loose-housed sows and their litters were studied on Day 1 and 3 post partum. We determined which component of the pre-lying behaviour influenced piglet location (piglets in the danger zone) at the moment of lying down. Sow sniffing and vocalization increased the proportion of piglets in the danger zone. There was no effect of pre-lying communication and piglet location on the incidence of crushing. Piglet mortality caused by crushing was 6.4% of live born piglets. The probability of crushing increased on Day 1 with decreasing piglet weight. The more sows communicated with piglets, the more the piglets were attracted to stay in close proximity to the sow, however there was no association detected between sow pre-lying communication and piglet crushing. The benefits of close proximity of piglets to the sow might out weigh the risk of getting crushed.