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Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden and unexpected death of a baby where no cause is found. While SIDS is rare, it can still happen and there are steps parents can take to help reduce the chance of this tragedy occurring.
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) – sometimes known as "cot death" – is the sudden, unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently healthy baby. In the UK, around 200 babies die suddenly and unexpectedly every year.
- Place your baby on their back to sleep. Place your baby on their back to sleep from the very beginning for both day and night sleeps. This will reduce the risk of cot death.
- Do not let your baby's head become covered. Babies whose heads are covered with bedding are at an increased risk of SIDS. To prevent your baby wriggling down under the covers, place them in the "feet to foot" position.
- Do not let your baby get too hot or too cold. Overheating can increase the risk of SIDS. Babies can overheat because of too much bedding or clothing, or because the room is too hot.
- Be safe if you share a bed with your baby. If you share a bed with your baby (co-sleeping), you should: make sure they sleep on a firm, flat mattress lying on their back.
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is a diagnosis that's made when an apparently healthy baby dies unexpectedly, and for no clear reason (NHS 2015a, The Lullaby Trust 2015). SIDS used to be more commonly known as cot death.
- What Is Cot Death?
- How Common Is Cot Death?
- What Causes Cot Death?
- How to Prevent Cot Death
- Enjoy Your Baby
Cot death is more properly known as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It is the term used to describe the sudden death of a baby in its sleep where no cause or reason can be found.
Cot death is uncommon. About 1 in 4,166 babies die due to cot death each year in England and Wales, making a total of 150 unexplained deaths of infants aged under one year in 2020. This is lower than previous years, though it is possible that delays to death registrations due to the pandemic may have slightly influenced the figure. Most cases occur...
We don't fully understand the cause and it is probably due to a combination of things. It is likely to affect babies who are more vulnerable for one reason or another. This could be, for example, because they were born too early (prematurely) or had a low birth weight. Environmental factors such as tobacco smoke, getting tangled in bedding or minor...
Research has shown that the risk of cot death can be reduced. The things you can do fall into four main categories: 1. Sleeping- learn the best way for your baby to sleep. 2. Smoking - create a smoke-free home for your baby. 3. Symptoms of illness- see a doctor if your baby appears unwell. 4. Consider breastfeeding.
Cot death is uncommon and becomes rare after the age of 5 months - about the time when babies are able to roll over and move a bit more. Don't let the worry of cot death spoil the precious time of getting to know your baby. However, the measures listed above reduce the small risk of cot death even further. The single most important thing is simply ...
The Lullaby Trust raises awareness of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), provides expert advice on safer sleep for babies and offers emotional support for bereaved families.
Babies who are born prematurely (before 37 weeks) or who weighed less than 5.5lbs (2.5kgs) at birth are at a higher chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS, sometimes called cot death).
