New Guidelines to Help Prevent Cot Death

Figures show the North West has the highest rates in the Country.

Published 15th Mar 2016

New guidelines have been issued to parents as it's revealed the North West has the highest rates of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in the Country.

The guidance has been updated to coincide with National Safer Sleep Week, which runs from the 14 – 20 March 2016. This awareness campaign, organised by national charity The Lullaby Trust, aims to encourage parents to follow a number of simple steps which can help babies while they sleep and reduce the risk.

Every year, 300 babies in the UK die suddenly and unexpectedly in their sleep as a result of SIDS, with the North West having the highest death rate in England and Wales. As such, Salford Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) has worked with Bolton and Wigan LSCB's to reduce this figure across the three areas.

Within the guidance are a number of simple tips, which include:

Place your baby on their back to sleep, in cot in the same room as you for their first six months

Don’t smoke during pregnancy or breastfeeding and don’t let anybody else smoke around them

Don’t share a bed with your baby if you’ve been drinking, taking drugs or you’re a smoker

Never sleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair

Don’t let your baby get too hot or cold

Keep your baby’s head uncovered. Their blanket should be tucked in no higher than their shoulders

Place your baby in the ‘feet to toe’ position (with their feet at the end of the cot or Moses basket)

Breastfeeding your baby

Andrea Patel, designated nurse for safeguarding children and looked after children at NHS Salford Clinical Commissioning Group said:

“The early days when a baby arrives into the world can be daunting for parents and guardians as they adjust to their new world and learn how to look after their child.

“Tragically, a small but significant number of babies in the region die through SIDS. This updated guidance will give new parents and guardians the tips that they need to ensure that their baby is sleeping safely.”

Mick Lay, independent chair of the Bolton, Salford and Wigan Child Death Overview Panel said:

“Research has shown that these simple steps really can make a difference in making sleep time safer for new born children and infants.

“It is intended that that this information will ensure that parents and carers are better informed and make babies’ sleep safer.”

Rhianna Mo Nora Champion was born on 13th January 2010. She died in her sleep just a week after celebrating her third birthday with her twin brother Ben in January 2013. Rhianna is survived by Ben, older brother Anthony, her dad, Dave Champion, and mum, Dawn Pelling.

Dave said: "Rhianna was such a happy little soul, she had a smile for everyone and was just full of energy and joy. We miss her every single day.

" When we put her to bed that night everything was completely normal. In the morning she was gone, just like that - we didn’t even get to say goodbye. Before Rhianna died, her mum and I didn't even know about the risk of Sudden Infant Death in older children - everything you hear is about babies under 12 months old, so we now want to use Rhianna's memory to raise awareness and also to raise funds to support much needed research.

"The Lullaby Trust helped us with counselling and support after Rhianna died. Without them and without Ben to focus on, I really don't know how we would have coped.

"We think about Rhianna every day and if we can use her memory to raise money that stops this happening to just one other child it will mean that her short life has made a real difference."

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