The Facts

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) which used to known as cot death is the sudden and unexpected death of a baby for no obvious reasons. In 2000, 333 babies died from SIDS in England and Wales, 80% of these occurred among babies under six months. Since 1991 the number of babies dying has reduced by over 70% after parents started following the advice below.

• Studies have shown that there is less risk of SIDS if babies are put down to sleep on their back. Should your baby vomit, he is not more likely to choke in this position. If you find your baby has rolled over onto his tummy, turn him onto his back again and tuck him in, but don’t feel you have to keep watch all night. At about 5 months it is normal for babies to roll over and that is fine, this is the age at which the risk of cot death falls rapidly, but still put your baby on his back to sleep.

• Place your baby with his feet to the foot of the cot to prevent him wriggling under the covers.

• It is a good idea to keep your baby’s cot in the room with you at night for the first six months. However although it is lovely to have your baby in bed with you for a cuddle and although the link between cot death and having your baby in bed with you is unclear the recommendations from the Department of Health err on the side of caution and suggest that while your baby is young she sleeps in her own cot as much as possible.

• If your baby is under a year, do not use soft bedding like duvets, quilts or pillows as they are associated with an increased risk of cot death. Instead, use one or more layers of lightweight blankets with air holes in them. Babies who are unwell with an increased temperature need fewer not more bedclothes.

• There is an increased risk of SIDS if your baby gets too hot the ideal temperature for her room is between 16-20C is fine. To keep an eye on the temperature it is a good idea to have a room thermometer – ideally a thermostatically controlled heater that will switch off if the room gets too warm. Don’t position your cot near a radiator or heater. If your baby is sweating or her tummy feels hot to the touch, take off some of the bedding. Don’t worry if baby’s hands, face or feet feel cool, this is normal.

• Keep your baby’s head uncovered – remove cot bumpers as soon as your baby can sit up or wriggle around. Babies lose heat through their head so if it is buried in a bumper, heat loss will be reduced increasing the risk of SIDS.

• Sleep your baby on a firm, clean, dry mattress. Make sure that it doesn’t sag or show signs of deterioration. Ventilated mattresses (with holes) are not necessary.

• Do not sleep on a sofa with your baby.

• A mother who smokes during pregnancy increases the risk of SIDS. Don’t let anyone smoke in the same room as your baby. The risk of SIDS is doubled for babies of parents who smoke and the risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked.