Good news but there's still room for improvement, say experts

The trend for fewer babies to die from cot death continues, according to figures released yesterday (30 August). Data from the Office for National Statistics show the rate fell from 0.48 to 0.41 deaths per 1,000 live births - that's only 300 in England and Wales for the most recent twelve month period on record.

In the UK in the 1980s, between 1,500 and 2,000 babies under the age of one year died suddenly and unexpectedly for no apparent reason - this was referred to as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or 'cot death'. By 2001, this figure had fallen to 377, mainly thanks to high-profile national prevention campaigns such as 'Back to Sleep'.

Current prevention guidelines strongly recommend both parents cut out smoking during pregnancy and discourage anyone from smoking in the same room as a baby. Babies should sleep on their backs, with their heads uncovered (put their feet to the foot of the cot, to prevent wriggling down under the covers) and they should not be allowed to get too hot.

The safest place for babies under six months to sleep is in a cot in their parents' room. Sleeping on a sofa or armchair with a baby is now considered dangerous and sharing a bed with a baby is not recommended for smokers (even if you never smoke in bed or in the home), anyone who has been drinking alcohol, or taking medication or drugs that make you drowsy.

Unfortunately, single parent families and families from a disadvantaged background are the ones most likely to suffer cot death. Dr Richard Wilson, paediatrician and FSID trustee, told Raisingkids 'Family that are socio-economically deprived are multiply biologically disadvantaged, with an increased risk of having babies born with a low birth weight, developing infections, having congenital abnormalities, or suffering accidents.'

'Socio-economically deprived families may also be less able to seek advice on giving their baby the chance of a lifetime. However, all social classes are poor at giving up cigarettes, a known risk factor for cot death and poor health.'

Since the early 1990s, it is estimated that SIDS awareness campaigns have led to the prevention of approximately 10,000 infant deaths in the UK and well over 100,000 worldwide.

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