Safe sleep tips: Reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Guest blog, written by Bonny Hetherington, maternity matron.

I think it’s fair to say that these days’ health professionals are pretty good at giving out information about reducing the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), or cot death, as it used to be known. 

Although we may be better at talking about SIDS, in the UK we still have 1:3,817 unexplained infant deaths in otherwise, babies under 12 months old. With this in mind, it is important to keep clear messaging about safe sleep practices, so parents can reduce the likelihood of this happening. 

Approximately 89% of SIDS deaths occur in babies under 6 months old, with the first 3 months being the most vulnerable. However, The Lullaby Trust recommends following this safe sleep advice until your baby is 12 months old (adjusted for premature babies) to keep the risks as low as possible.

SIDS is when a healthy baby dies and no underlying cause, such as infection or accident, is found. We do not know what causes SIDS, however we do know that there are certain risk factors that make it more likely. It is these things that safe sleep advice addresses. 

Here are some key safe sleep tips: 

• Keep your baby in the same room as you when they sleep, day or night, for the first 6 months.
• Make sure the baby is not at risk of overheating, as this increases the likelihood of SIDS. The ideal room temperature is 16-20 degrees Celsius. 
• Remove hats when inside, to help babies regulate their temperature better.
• Ensure your baby sleeps on a firm, flat waterproof mattress to keep their airway open. Any other surface, such as bouncers, hammocks or car seats are not safe for naps. 
• Place your baby on their back to sleep, sleeping on their front narrows their airway. Position them close to the foot of the cot.
• Keep the cot clear. Including toys, pillows, cot bumpers, nests and other sleep products.
• Avoid smoking during pregnancy and around your baby, or allowing others to smoke around them. 
• Do not share a bed with your baby if you have been drinking alcohol, smoking or taking drugs or medication that makes you drowsy.
• Breastfeed, if possible. Breastfeeding for at least 2 months halves the risk of SIDS.

It’s tough for us Brits to acknowledge that something like this may happen to our babies. I used to send women home following their birth with all the correct information about safe sleep; feeling like I’d done my duty by making sure they had their leaflet (does anyone actually read the leaflets we're given??). But how do these guidelines compare to the reality of having a newborn baby at home, feeling exhausted and trying just about anything to get a little bit of sleep?

How many parents find having our babies sharing the same room as us at night has such a negative impact on our sleep, that before the recommended six months is up we move them into their own room? And yet, did you know that sharing a room with your baby for six months can halve the risk of SIDS?

My reality was two-year-old twins and a newborn, who was a very settled baby. Well, very settled if she was snuggled up next to me, firmly attached to my breast. I’m embarrassed to say that it only took about four nights before I flipped her onto her tummy and realised she settled like a dream and only woke for feeds. I was so exhausted that, at that moment, my sleep was more important than her safety. Obviously, I made all the excuses under the sun. Like,

• Her sleeping environment was safe;
• I made sure she didn't over heat;
• I'm a non-smoker;
• I was breastfeeding;

And, as she was sleeping right next to me, I'd definitely know if there was a problem. Right? Nope, the reality is that babies are six times more at risk of SIDS if they sleep on their front, than when placed on their back.

Since the Back to Sleep campaign launched in 1991, instances of SIDS reduced by 85%. But other causes of infant deaths have increased. For example, accidental deaths from falling asleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair. This can increase the chance of SIDS by up to 50 times! Not only that, it increases the risk of accidental death, where the baby becomes trapped and cannot breathe.

This is a tough one. Most of the time we don't plan to fall asleep with our babies on sofas, armchairs, or sat up in bed. But before you know it, you wake up not knowing where you are and thank god that your baby is sleeping happily, enjoying having that lovely cuddle with you (in most cases). It may be that you take your baby out of the bedroom to feed them, allowing your partner to get some sleep before work the next day, and before you know it you’ve fallen asleep on the sofa. So, often it’s not an intended nap, but when you’re exhausted it’s inevitable. Sadly, you’re not going to realise that your baby has got themself wedged in cushions or against the sofa before it’s too late.

Research shows that a fifth of all UK babies spend at least part of the night sleeping in bed with one, or both parents, and I’m sure that a lot of this bed-sharing is accidental. number of nights my husband and I would drag our twins into bed to feed them and then wake up a couple of hours later, slumped down in the bed all snoozing together. I often chat with women about co-sleeping, who laugh and say that they’re definitely not going down that route with their baby – I can assure you they probably do in reality, just maybe not intentionally.

Believe me, I’m not here to make you feel guilty for the little things (we all do) that help you cope with your new life with a baby - it’s tough! But there are some simple things you can do that keep your baby safe and allow you to get some sleep. If you’re going to bring your baby into bed to feed them, accept that you may fall asleep and do the following:

• Give the baby plenty of space, so they are not likely to fall out of bed. Do not place them between you and the wall or your partner. Co-sleeper cots are a great solution, that give you all plenty of room. 
• Make sure your baby has their own blanket (a well-fitting sleeping bag is ideal) and is not at risk of being covered with your duvet or pillow. 
• Lie your baby on their back (following safe sleep advice), rather than their front or side. 
• Curl your body in a c-shape around your baby and feed them lying down. 

There are certain times that it is not safe to share a bed with a baby, such as: 

• If you or your partner have had any alcohol to drink - even one drink!
• If anyone sleeping in bed is a smoker, or the baby was exposed to smoking during pregnancy.
• If you or anyone else in the bed has taken any drugs or medication that makes you feel drowsy.
• If your baby was born before 37 weeks or weighed less than 2.5kg or 5.5lbs at birth.

Lack of sleep related to caring for a baby can also affect parents' health, particularly in the case of depression and accidents.

If possible, take any opportunity in the day to sleep when your baby sleeps. I appreciate this is often easier said than done! But if it's a choice of housework or sleep...I'd go with the latter in the early days, when you're getting used to meeting your baby's needs.

If you’re having a cuddle with your baby on the sofa and start feeling tired (pretty likely), take them up to bed and lie down with them instead. Or keep a cot or Moses basket in the sitting room, so you can both have a nap.

It's also a good idea to reach out to your support network for help. Ask family and friends to take your baby for walks, or entertain them whilst you quickly get a power-nap. I remember my parents and in-laws taking my girls for endless walks whilst I caught up with sleep. I also had great mates who allowed me to pitch up to their houses, dump the babies on them, and use their spare bed to catch up on some sleep!

It’s really important in the early days to communicate your needs with your family and friends - rather than just accepting the help they offer, which may not be what you need (or want) at that moment. Remember, this is a phase. It won’t be long until life has settled down, and you get more sleep. Or, if you're struggling, reach out to health professionals for support. Health Visitors can help with sleep, feeding, mental health and so much more. Equally, there are lots of private specialists in this field too. 

For more safe sleep advice, check out The Lullaby Trust website. 

The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this article are not intended to amount to advice, and you should not rely on any of the contents of this article. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this article. New Life Classes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this article.