Search results
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.
Safe sleeping guide for babies under 1 year old. Our safer sleeping guide gives you clear evidence-based advice on safe baby sleep practices. Ensuring your baby sleeps safely will significantly reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), also called ‘cot death’.
- 520KB
- 8
- 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.
Feb 14, 2024 · This offers guidance for anyone looking after a baby under 1 year old. It contains evidence-based advice on the safest way for your baby to sleep. Making sure your baby sleeps safely will significantly reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) also called ‘cot death’.
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.
The examination could show, for example, an infection or other illness such as a genetic disorder that could have caused the death. Deaths that are still unexplained after the post mortem are usually registered as ‘sudden infant death syndrome’ (SIDS) for babies under a year old.
Some neonatal death is unexpected, such as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), also known as sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) (Lullaby Trust, no date). The UK Government has a national ambition to reduce stillbirth and neonatal death (Nuffield Trust, 2023) .
