Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS or ‘cot death’) now affects less than one baby in every 1000 live births. This tragic event, in which an apparently healthy baby dies for no obvious reason, is the subject of much research.
Although we cannot say why cot deaths occur, certain things have been shown to reduce the risks of it happening. These are:
- putting the baby to sleep on its back;
- avoiding too many blankets in the cot and making sure the baby's head remains uncovered during sleep;
- providing a safe sleeping environment (safe mattress, bedding and cot);
- not exposing your baby to cigarette smoke; and
- sleeping the baby in a cot next to the parent’s bed for the first 6 to 12 months of life.
Not doing these things will not cause a cot death, but they all reduce the small risk of it happening.
Although there is conflicting information from studies about whether breast feeding reduces the risk of SIDS, SIDS and Kids recommends breast feeding if possible.
Parents who have experienced this devastating event often feel guilty that they could have prevented it. This is understandable but incorrect. It is just not possible to watch a baby for every moment of its life.
Sudden infant death syndrome does not happen as a result of routine childhood vaccinations. These injections provide important protection against serious infections and should not be missed or delayed unless there are strong medical reasons to do so.
Last Reviewed: 18 November 2009
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