How to reduce the risk of cot death

All parents worry about sudden infant death, or cot death as it is commonly called. However, it's very rare and there are lots of simple things you can do in order to reduce the risks:

• Place your baby on his back to sleep; a healthy baby is not more likely to choke in this position and sleeping on the back has been shown to reduce the incidence of cot death

• Do not smoke during pregnancy

• Make your baby’s room a smoke-free zone, and don't smoke if he comes into bed with you

• Keep your baby's cot in your bedroom for the first six months

• Don't let your baby get too hot; check his temperature by putting your hand on his tummy or the back of his neck

• Make up the cot with the baby in the ‘feet to foot’ position. The sheets and blankets are made up half way down the cot and tucked under the mattress, so that your baby lies with his feet at the end of the cot. This makes it difficult for your baby to wriggle down under the bedclothes

• Use a sheet and blankets so you can take a layer or two off if he is hot, or add another layer if he is cold

• Don't use duvets or pillows for babies under one year

• Your baby can also wriggle his head under a loose cot bumper or large soft toy, so you may prefer not to put these into the cot until he is over a year

• Have your baby immunised - there's evidence to show that this reduces the risk of cot death

• Don't fall asleep on a sofa with your baby, there is a risk of rolling on to them

• If you smoke, have been drinking alcohol, are very tired or if you're taking drugs or medication that may make you sleepy, don't share a bed with your baby

• Even if you don’t smoke or haven’t been drinking, if baby shares your bed remember duvets aren't safe

• If your baby is unwell, seek medical advice promptly.

Where to next?

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