Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or cot death, is the sudden unexpected death of an apparently well baby aged from birth to two years. Although cot death is the most common cause of death in young babies, it is rare, and the risk of your baby dying from cot death is small.

The exact cause of cot death is unknown, but there are precautions you can take to reduce the risks.

Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding your baby reduces the risk of cot death. Breast milk gives babies all the nutrients they need for the first six months of life and helps protect them from infection. It’s natural to have questions or need some extra support to breastfeed successfully. Your midwife, health visitor or doctor can help.

Sleeping position
Putting your baby on their back to sleep will reduce the risk of cot death. Healthy babies placed on their back to sleep are not more likely to choke while they are asleep.

It is normal for babies to roll over on their own when they get to about five or six months old. At this age, the risk of cot death falls significantly. If your baby is under five months, and you find them asleep on their side or front, gently turn them over. But don’t feel that you need to check on them all the time when they are asleep.

Bedding
Your baby should sleep in a cot in the same room as you for the first six months. Their mattress should be:

• clean,
• firm,
• flat,
• well-fitted,
• waterproof, and
• covered with a single sheet.

Use sheets and lightweight blankets, but do not use duvets, quilts, pillows or similar thick bedding. Babies whose heads are covered by bedding are at an increased risk of cot death. To prevent your baby wriggling down under the covers, place your baby so their feet touch the bottom of the cot or pram. Tuck the covers in so they can’t slip over your baby’s head.

Don’t share your bed with your baby. Put your baby in their cot before you go to sleep, especially for the first three months after birth.

Smoking
Smoking in pregnancy increases the risk of cot death. That includes passive smoking from partners too. It’s best not to smoke at all. Babies exposed to tobacco smoke after the birth are also at an increased risk of cot death. It’s best not to let anyone smoke in your home. If you smoke, sharing a bed with your baby increases the risk of cot death.

Temperature
Don’t let your baby get too hot as this can increase the risk of cot death. Babies can get too hot if they have too much bedding, or the room is too warm. If your baby is sweating or their tummy feels hot to touch, take off some of the bedding. Don’t worry if your baby’s hands and feet are cool as this is normal.

Remember that babies don’t need hot rooms. Keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for you to sleep in. This is usually about 18C (65F).

Your baby should never sleep:

• with a hot water bottle or electric blanket,
• next to a radiator, heater or fire, or
• in direct sunlight.

Using a dummy
Recent research has also found that a child using a dummy when asleep reduces the risk of cot death. If you’re breastfeeding, do not give your baby a dummy until your baby is one month old. This will help ensure the dummy does not affect your baby’s breastfeeding routine.

Don’t worry if your baby’s dummy falls out while he or she is sleeping, or if your baby doesn’t want to use a dummy. Not all babies like dummies, and you should never force your child to use one if they don’t want to.

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