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Prevention of Sudden infant death syndrome

Cot death is rare, especially after 5 months when babies start to become more mobile.  Try not to let the worry of cot death affect the first few months getting to know your new baby.  However, although the risk is small, there are some steps you can take to reduce it.

Research done in several countries in the early 1990s showed that there was a connection between the baby’s sleeping position and the risk of cot death. Infants sleeping face down (prone) were more likely to suffer a cot death. Subsequent ‘back to sleep’ campaigns have published this finding, and there has since been a major reduction (around 70%) in cot deaths.

Babies should be laid to sleep on their back, with their feet touching the foot of the cot.  Sheets or thin blankets should be tucked in and made up so that they come no higher than the baby’s shoulders, to prevent them wriggling under the covers.  Do not let your baby sleep on a sheepskin, or use duvets, pillows, cot bumpers or quilts for infants aged under one year, as these increase the risk of cot death.

A recent international study found that the biggest risk to babies comes from smoking in the home, combined with bed-sharing.  The study confirms previous advice that bedsharing greatly increases the risk of infant death when the parent

  • is a smoker (this increases the risk of cot death by a factor of 11),
  • has drunk alcohol, or
  • has taken medicines or illegal drugs.

But the latest findings also identified that the risk of cot death to very young babies (under 8 weeks old) is doubled if they share their parents’ bed, even when the parents are non-smokers.  The research also confirmed an earlier finding that babies are more likely to die if they sleep in a separate room from their parents.  The Department of Health recommends that babies sleep in a cot or crib in their parents’ room for the first six months.

Falling asleep on the sofa with your baby has also been shown to increase the risk of cot death.

Do not expose your baby to tobacco smoke.

If your baby is unwell, trust your instincts - you know your baby best of all.  Get medical advice if you are concerned, but particularly if your baby:

  • is wheezy or is having trouble breathing,
  • is being sick,
  • feels hot and/or sweaty,
  • is pale,
  • has a rash (particularly if also seems unwell), or
  • is not responding to you normally.

The CONI (Care Of the Next Infant) scheme offers advice, support and practical help to cot death parents in the care of their next baby.  It’s also important to learn infant resuscitation techniques (‘mouth to mouth’) - courses are widely available to parents, and are often free of charge.