News

16th September 2005

Cot death advice inconsistent

Nearly a third of parents with young babies do not receive, or do not remember getting any advice on cot death, according to a new study.

The Foundation for the Study of Infant Death, which carried out the research, said advice is 'patchy' or given too late.

They have created a new colourful, eye-catching, cartoon style sticker specially designed to be stuck on parent held notes for pregnant women, on hospital cots and on parent held baby health notes. The aim is to complement the work of health professionals and remind them to discuss this essential advice.

The stickers are being sent to maternity units and Sure Start programme centres across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Cot death has decreased in recent years but still claims the lives of 300 babies a year in the UK.

Joyce Epstein, FSID director, said, "Promotion of advice to reduce the risk of cot death is patchy, varying according to where the baby is born, and may come too late, after inappropriate bedding is bought or other unsafe arrangements made.

"Although most midwives and health visitors are doing a great job, we need to try to ensure that everybody gets the right advice at the right time. If everyone followed the Reduce the Risk message, we estimate cot deaths could be cut by over half right now."

The study also found that there are large regional variations on the amount of advice given.

For example, 54 per cent of parents in London recalled a discussion compared with 87 per cent in the North of England.

But more than half (51 per cent) of parents who did remember professionals discussing cot death with them, said it took place after the birth.

FSID say it is important to get advice early as cot death can be reduced by cutting smoking during pregnancy.

Ms Epstein added, "We are sending the stickers to midwives and health visitors to encourage them to stick the new resource on the mother's notes when she first meets with her midwife in pregnancy, stick them on the hospital cot and for health visitors to stick it on the baby's health notes, to prompt discussion at every stage."

The stickers are being sponsored by grobagŪ a specialist safe sleep brand which helps fund FSID research.

Rob Holmes, Director of grobagŪ said, "Parents can often feel bombarded by advice and it does not always sink in.

"This new sticker is clear, colourful and accessible, focusing on the key steps to reduce the risk of cot death such as sleeping babies on the back and avoiding overheating."

And midwife, Sally Inch said, "Midwives are doing a fantastic job around the country but often lack the resources to make the lifesaving cot death advice stick. "Hopefully these colourful new stickers will help all parents remember how to give their babies the chance of a lifetime."

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