Reducing the risk of cot death

Cot death is the term used to explain sudden and often unexplained deaths of babies in their first year life. Most deaths occur when a baby is between 4 and 12 weeks of age. Cot death can occur in any baby but some are more at risk than others. Babies most at risk from cot death are boys and those born prematurely or with a low birth weight.

As a parent you can help reduce the risk of cot death by:

• not placing baby on his tummy or side for sleeping. Always place your baby on his back to sleep - use a firm, flat mattress; do not use pillows or other soft materials.
• placing your baby with his feet at the bottom of the cot - this stops him from wriggling down, under the covers
• making sure your baby doesn't get too hot - do not overdress your baby or overheat the room
• sleeping in the same room as your baby but not sleeping with your baby on a sofa, armchair or settee and
• avoiding taking your baby into smoky atmospheres

We recommend that you do not share your bed with your baby but if you do, make sure that your baby can't get trapped between the bed and a wall or other furniture.

It is particularly important that you don't share a bed with your baby if you or your partner:

• are smokers (no matter where or when you smoke)
• have been drinking alcohol
• take medication or drugs that make you drowsy
• feel very tired

For more information contact The Scottish Cot Death Trust, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Yorkhill, Glasgow. Telephone 0141 357 3946