How to reduce the risk of cot death

"Cot death is the sudden and unexpected death of a baby for no obvious reason. The post mortem examination may explain some deaths. Those that remain unexplained after post mortem examination may be registered as sudden infant death syndrome, SIDS, sudden infant death, sudden unexpected death in infancy, unascertained or cot death." The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths, 2005

According to the Office for National Statistics, cot death has dramatically reduced by 75 per cent since the introduction of the Reduce the Risk campaign in 1991. However, seven babies die in the UK every week as a result of cot death which is the leading kind of death in babies over one month old - claiming more lives than meningitis, leukaemia, other forms of cancer, household and road traffic accidents.

Cot death is uncommon in babies less than a month old, but rises to a peak during the second month. The risk then diminishes as the baby grows older. Nearly 90 per cent of cot deaths have occurred by six months, and very few occur after a year.

In January 2004, one of the biggest studies of its kind concluded that bed-sharing puts babies under eight weeks old at a "small but significantly" higher risk of smothering or over-heating.

You can do a number of things to decrease your baby's risk of cot death, but at present there's no way to prevent it. Below are the important steps you can take to help reduce the risk.

• Cut smoking in pregnancy - fathers too!
• Do not let anyone smoke in the same room as your baby
• Place your baby on their back to sleep
• Do not let your baby get too hot. Keep the room at a temperature between 16-20ºC. 18ºC (65ºF).Check your baby regularly,especially in hot weather. If they are sweating or their tummy feels hot to the touch, take off some of the bedding. Don't worry if their hands or feet feel cool, this is normal
• Keep baby's head uncovered - place your baby with their feet to the foot of the cot, ensuring that sheets and blankets are made up half way down the cot and tucked under the mattress to prevent wriggling down under the covers
• If your baby is unwell, seek medical advice promptly
• It's safest to sleep your baby in a cot in your bedroom for the first six months.

It's dangerous to share a bed with your baby if you or your partner:

• are smokers (no matter where or when you smoke)
• have been drinking alcohol
• take drugs or medication that makes you sleepy
• feel very tired
• It's very dangerous to sleep together on a sofa, armchair or settee

Cot death charity announces new dummy advice for parents (June 2007)

The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) announces its latest advice to parents with regard to dummies or soothers: "Settling your baby to sleep with a dummy - even for naps - can reduce the risk of cot death. If breastfeeding, do not begin to give a dummy until your baby is one month old to ensure breastfeeding is well-established. Don't worry if the dummy falls out while your baby is asleep, and don't force your baby to take a dummy if he or she doesn't want it. Never coat the dummy in anything sweet."

For more information on how to reduce the risk of cot death, or if you have any concerns surrounding cot death, the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) runs a 24-hour helpline: 020 7233 2090. Alternatively you can visit the FSID website.

These recommendations for reducing the risk of cot death are published in a leaflet called Reduce the Risk, published jointly by the Department of Health and the Foundation for the Study of Infant Death (FSID).

A copy of the leaflet can be obtained from:

The Department of Health
PO Box 410
Wetherby LS23 7LN
Fax: 01623 724 524
Tel: 0800 555 777
Email: doh@prologistics.co.uk

• Find out more in babyworld's feature on the National Cot Death Appeal
• Want to make a donation to FSID? Click here to help the charity.
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