Cot death statistics released by the government have been immediately questioned by the leading cot death charity in the UK.
The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths is worried that many babies who may have died of cot deaths are not included in figures, which may jeopardise understanding of the causes and prevention of cot death, also know as sudden infant death.
The government reported that 279 babies under 12 months died of cot deaths in England and Wales in 1999, down from 286 the year before.
But the charity feels that because increasing number of baby deaths are being registered as ‘unascertained’ rather than cot death, the
truer picture is 352 deaths.
Cot deaths in Scotland include unascertained deaths and the charity is pushing for the same policy to be adopted in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Click here to read what Joyce Epstein, FSID’s Director, has to say.
The government figures show that a baby registered at birth only by the mother is five times more likely to die of cot death than one registered by both parents. The increased risk is thought to be linked to smoking rates and poverty.
Click here to read how FSID responded to these new findings >>
The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths has a 24-hour helpline on 020 7233 2090 and a website at www.sids.org.uk
Reduce the risk of cot death:
- Place your baby on the back to sleep
- Cut smoking in pregnancy – fathers too!
- Do not let anyone smoke in the same room as your baby
- Do not let your baby get too hot
- Keep baby’s head uncovered – place your baby with feet to the
foot of the cot, to prevent wriggling down under the covers - If your baby is unwell, seek medical advice promptly
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