Safe Sleep for your Baby Reduce the Risk of Cot

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Page 1
Safe Sleep for your Baby
Reduce the Risk of Cot Death
✓
°
Cellular blanket
(allows air
to circulate)
°
20
68
18
65
16
60
Ideal room
temperature for
your baby is
in the range
16–20˚C.
Key Points
Always place your baby on their back to sleep.
Do
Don’t
smoke during pregnancy.
 Always place your baby on their back to sleep.
smoke or allow anyone to smoke in the home or in the car.
Don’t
 Keep your baby smoke free during pregnancy & after birth.
The
safest place for your baby to sleep at night is in a cot in your room.
 The safest place for your baby to sleep at night is in a cot in your room.
Place
baby with their feet to the foot of the cot.
 Place your baby with their feet to the foot of the cot.
Make
sure the baby’s head stays uncovered when asleep.
 Make sure your baby’s head stays uncovered when asleep.
Don’t
let your baby get too hot.
 Keep the cot free of soft objects and anything loose or fl
uffy. Keep
the cot free of soft objects and anything loose or fluffy.
 Breastfeed your baby, if possible.
Don’t fall asleep in bed with your baby if you or your partner
smoke or have taken alcohol, drugs or medication that makes
you
sleep more heavily. Don’t fall asleep in bed with your baby if
X Don’t smoke during pregnancy.
they
are less than three months old, were born prematurely or had
X Don’t smoke or allow anyone to smoke in the home or in the car.
a low birth weight (less than 2.5kg or 5.5lbs when born).
X Never fall asleep in bed with your baby if you or your partner are Breastfeed
your baby, if possible.
smokers or have taken alcohol, drugs or medication that makes you sleep more heavily.
Never
fall asleep with your baby on a sofa or an armchair.
X It is not safe to bed share if your baby is less than three months old or If
your baby seems unwell, call the doctor quickly.
was born prematurely or had a low birth weight.
X Never fall asleep with your baby on a sofa or an armchair.
X Don’t let your baby get too hot.
Don’t
What is cot death?
Cot death is another name for Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome (SIDS). It is the sudden and unexpected death of
a seemingly healthy baby during sleep. No cause of death
can be found, even after a post-mortem examination.
However, cot death does not only happen in cots. It may
happen in a pram, bed, car seat or anywhere a baby is
resting. A seemingly healthy baby is put down to sleep and
when next checked they are found dead. There has been no
sound or sign of a struggle.
Because we do not know what causes cot death, we cannot
completely prevent it. But research has shown that you can
take steps to reduce the risk of cot death. If you follow the
advice in this booklet you will help reduce your baby’s risk
as much as possible.
The information in this booklet is for everyone who
looks after a baby, not just parents. Please share this
information with your family, friends, child-minder,
crèche and babysitter – and anyone else who looks after
your baby.
If you have any questions or would like more
information about SIDS and risks:
Call (01)8788455
Email [email protected]
Visit www.sidsireland.ieˇ
2
National
Paediatric Mortality
Register
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Page 2
Back to sleep
Back
sleep
Alwaysto
place
your baby on their back to sleep.
Always place your baby on their back to sleep.
Babies
who sleep on their
Babies who sleep on their
tummies
have
a higher
tummies have
a higher
risk risk of
cot death.
cotofdeath.
Always place your
baby to sleep on their back.
Place your baby to sleep
This
does not increase the risk
on their back. This does not
of increase
choking
the or
riskvomiting.
of choking
✓
or vomiting.
It is not safe to place your
When your baby is older and
baby
on their side to sleep
able to roll from back to front
because
rollfindonto
and backthey
again, may
let them
theirtummy.
own position to sleep.
their
You should still place them
on their back at the start of
When
your baby is older
sleep time.
and
able to roll from back to front
and
again,
let
them
It isback
not safe
to place
your
baby find
on their
side
to sleep because
their
own
position
to sleep.
they may roll onto their
You
should still place them on
tummy.
their back at the start of sleep
time.
Cellular
blanket
(allows air
to circulate)
Some babies develop a ‘flat-head’ (Plagiocephaly) if they lie with their head in
one position for long periods of time. To prevent this you will need to alternate
If your
always
lies with their head in the same
your
baby’sbaby
head position
regularly.
position they might develop a ‘flat-head’, this is known as
When placing your baby down to sleep, position their head first (either to the
plagiocephaly.
You
can
prevent
putting
your baby
right
or the left) so that
your
baby’s
cheek/earthis-when
rests on the mattress,
then
gently
baby’s
bodytheir
to rollhead
completely
onto their
back. Alternate
the face
downallow
to your
sleep,
turn
so that
sometimes
they
side of the head each time you put your baby down so that an equal amount of
left and sometimes they face right.
time is spent facing to the right and to the left. If you prefer your baby to be
facing towards you, alternate which end of the cot you place your baby.
2
3
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Page 4
Page 4
Smoke-free
zone
baby
Smoke-free
zonefor
foryour
your baby
Smoke-free
zone
for your
baby
Do notDo
smoke
during
pregnancy.
SIDS A5 booklet
2011:Layout 1 09/12/2011
not smoke
during
pregnancy.
✗✗
Do not smoke during pregnancy.
14:23
Page 4
Smoke-free zone for your bab
Do not smoke during pregnancy.
✗
Smoking during pregnancy increases
Smoking
during
increases
your
baby’s risk
of cotpregnancy
death.
Smoking during pregnancy greatly
your baby’s your
risk of baby’s
cot death.
increases
risk of cot death.
If you smoke during pregnancy
If you smoke during pregnancy your baby
your
babysmoke
is moreduring
likely topregnancy
be born
Smoking during pregnancy increases
you
isIf more
likely
tobirth
be weight.
born prematurely
or
prematurely
or
have low
your baby’s risk of cot death.
your baby is more likely to be born
Premature
and
low
birth
weight
babies
have
have
low birth weight. Premature and
prematurely or have low birth weight.
a higher risk of cot death.
If you smoke during pregnancy
low
birth
weight
babies
have
higher
Premature and
low birth
weight
babiesayour
have
baby is more likely to be born
risk
of cot
a higher
risk death.
of cotYour
death.
baby’s risk goes up prematurely or have low birth weight.
x15
with every cigarette you Premature and low birth weight babies ha
smokeYour
a daybaby’s
and with
a higher
risk goes
up risk of cot death.
every smoker in your
with every cigarette you
home.
Your baby’s risk goe
x13
Your
risk goes up with every cigarette you smoke a
x11 baby’s
RISK OF COT DEATH
x9
day and with every smoker
x13
smoke a day and with
x15
in x7your home.
So if you and
x11
RISK OF COT DEATH
x13
x5
every
in your
So if you
andsmoker
your partner
your
x9 x3 partner both smoke, your x11
RISKyour
OF COT
DEATH
both smoke,
baby’s
home.
x9
baby’s
risk is higher than if
x7 0
risk is higher than if only
1-9
10-19
20+
x7
one of you smoke.
x5
of cigarettes
smoked per day
only
one Number
of you
smoke.
So if you and your partner
x5
x3
both smoke, your baby’s
Remember…
x3
0
risk is higher than if only
morecompletely
you smoke, the higher 0the risk.
If you can’tThe1-9
quit
10-19
20+
1-9 smoke.
10-19
20+
one of you
Number
of
cigarettes
smoked
per
day
Number of cigarettes smoked per day
try
to cut down the number of
For information and support on quitting smoking, phone the National Smokers' Quitline
onyou
Callsave
1850 201daily.
203 Monday - Saturday, 7am-8pm
cigarettes
smoke
Remember…
Remember…
or visit the website www.quit.ie
x15
with every cigarette
smoke a day and w
every smoker in you
home.
So if you and your p
both smoke, your b
risk is higher than if
one of you smoke.
The more you smoke, the higher the risk.
The more you smoke,
4 the higher the risk.
Remember…
For information and support on quitting smoking, phone the National Smokers' Q
The more you smoke, the higher the risk.
For information and support on quitting smoking, phone the National
Smokers'
Quitline
on Callsave
1850 201
203 Monday - Saturday, 7am-8pm
on Callsave 1850 201 203 Monday - Saturday, 7am-8pm or visit the website www.quit.ie
or visit the website www.quit.ie
4
You are twice as likely to succeed
in
giving
up
smoking
if
4
you get support to quit.
4
For more information and support on quitting smoking, phone the
National Smokers’ Quitline on FREEPHONE 1800 201 203 FREETEXT QUIT to 50100 or visit the website www.quit.ie
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Page 5
Smoke-free zone for your baby
Do not smoke or allow anyone to smoke in
the home or
in the
Smoke-free
zone
forcar.
your
Smoke-free
zone
forbaby
your baby
Do Do
notnot
smoke
or
allow
anyone
to
smoke
in in the
smoke or allow anyone to
smoke
thehome
homeor
orin
inthe
thecar.
car.
Being exposed to cigarette smoke after birth also increases
a baby’s risk of cot death. It is most important that no one
smokes
around
your baby.
you
out, don’t
Being exposed
to cigarette
smoke When
after birth
alsogo
increases
a baby’sbring
risk
your
of cotbaby
death.into smoky places.
It is most
that no
one
smokes
around your
baby.
Being If
exposed
cigarette
smoke
after
birth
also increases
awhere
baby’s
risk
you ortoimportant
your
partner
smoke
(no
matter
you smokeWhen you go out, don’t bring your baby into smoky places.
of cot death.
even if you only smoke outside the home), you should not
share
a bed that
with
baby as
thisyour
greatly
It is most
important
noyour
one smokes
around
baby.increases the risk
cot
Whenof
you
godeath.
out, don’t bring
baby
into smoky
places.
Remember…
If you your
cut out
smoking
when you’re
pregnant and keep your baby
away from cigarette smoke after birth, you can greatly reduce their risk of cot death.
Remember…
For information
and
support
on quitting
smoking,
the National
Smokers'
Quitline
Remember…
If you
cut
out smoking
when
you’rephone
pregnant
and keep
your baby
Callsavesmoking
1850 201 203 Monday
- Saturday,
7am-8pm
If you cutonout
when
you’re
pregnant and keep your baby away from
For information and support on quitting smoking, 5phone the National Smokers' Quitline
on Callsave
1850 201 203
Monday
- Saturday,you
7am-8pm
cigarette
smoke
after
birth,
can greatly
or visit the website www.quit.ie
reduce their risk of cot death.
away from cigarette smoke afterorbirth,
youwebsite
can greatly
reduce their risk of cot death.
visit the
www.quit.ie
5
For more information and support on quitting smoking, phone the
National Smokers’ Quitline on FREEPHONE 1800 201 203 FREETEXT QUIT to 50100 or visit the website www.quit.ie
5
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Page 8
The safest place for your baby to sleep
Thenight
safest place
sleeproom
at
is inforayour
cotbaby
in to
your
is in a cot in your room.
✓
Cellular blanket
(allows air to
circulate)
Babies who sleep in a cot
in their parents’ bedroom
are less at risk of cot death
than if they are on their
own in a separate room.
Keep your baby’s cot in
your room for at least the
first six months.
Babies who sleep in
a cot in their parents’
bedroom are less at
risk of cot death than
if they are on their own
in a separate room.
Keep your baby’s cot in
your room for the first
six months.
A separate cot is safest. Bed-sharing can be dangerous.
not share a
bediswith
your baby
ADoseparate
cot
safest.
Bed-sharing can be dangerous.
if you or your partner:
smoke (no matter where you smoke - even if you never smoke in bed)
haveshare
taken alcohol,
drugs orwith
medication
that may
make you sleep
Do not
a bed
your
baby
more heavily
if you
or your
partner:The safest place for your baby to sleep
are extremely
tired
in a cot in your room.
or
• smoke (no matter iswhere
you smoke – even if you never
if your baby:
smoke
in
bed)
Is less than three months old
who sleep in
✓ thatBabies
was born
prematurely
(born before
37 weeks)
a cot
in theirmake
parents’
• have
taken
alcohol,
drugs
orormedication
may
bedroom are less at
had a low birth weight (less than 2.5kg or 5.5lbs when born).
you sleep more heavily
risk of cot death than
Babies who share their parents’ bed can slip under the bed covers. They can roll if they are on their own
•
are
extremely
tired
under an adult, get caught between the bed and the wall or fall out of the bed. in a separate room.
Keep your baby’s cot in
Your baby should not share a bed with your other children.
Or
your room for the first
six months.
if your baby:
• isNever
lessfallthan
months
A separate
is safest. Bed-sharing can be dangerous.
asleepthree
with your
baby cot old
on a sofa, couch, armchairDo
ornot
beanbag
– with your baby
share
a bed
• was
born prematurely (born
before 37 weeks) or
this is very dangerous.
if you or your partner:
(no matter
where you
smoke
- even
never smokewhen
in bed)
• had a low birth weightsmoke
(less
than
2.5
kg
orif you5.5lbs
have taken alcohol, drugs or medication that may make you sleep
8
more heavily
born).
are extremely tired
or
SIDS A5 booklet 2011:Layout 1
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Page 8
Cellular blanket
(allows air to
circulate)
✗
if your baby:
Bed-sharing can also increase
aIs less
baby’s
risk of suffocation as they can
than three months old
slip under the bed covers, roll under
an adult,
caught
was born prematurely
(born get
before 37
weeks) or between the
had a low birth weight (less than 2.5kg or 5.5lbs when born).
bed and the wall or fall out of the
bed. Your baby should not share a bed
who share their parents’ bed can slip under the bed covers. They can roll
with your other children. Babies
under an adult, get caught between the bed and the wall or fall out of the bed.
Your baby should not share a bed with your other children.
Never fall asleep with your baby on a sofa,
Never fall asleep with your baby
on a sofa, couch,
armchair
beanbag –
couch, armchair or beanbag
– this
is orvery
this is very dangerous.
dangerous.
8
6
✗
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Page 6
Feet to foot
Feet your
to foot
Place
baby with their feet to the foot of the cot
Place your baby with their feet to the foot of the
and keep their face uncovered.
cot and keep their face uncovered.
✓
✗
Cellular
blanket
(allows air
to circulate)
To stop your baby wriggling down under the covers, place them to
• Place
yourtheir
baby
sleep
feetorto
theandfoot
sleep with
feet to
to the
footwith
of thetheir
cot, basket
pram
haveof
thethe cot, moses
covers below
their shoulders.
basket
or pram
so they can’t wriggle down under the covers.
Tuck covers in loosely but securely and make sure they cannot slip
• Tuck
loosely but securely, no higher than your baby’s
over covers
the baby’sinhead.
shoulders
and
make sure they cannot slip over your baby’s head.
Check regularly to make sure baby’s head stays uncovered. If the
slips over their head while they are asleep, they are at increased
• Abedding
sleeveless
baby sleeping bag may be used instead of covers, it
risk of cot death.
should be low-tog with no hood and be the correct size for your baby’s
Keep the cot free of soft objects and anything loose or fluffy (bedding, toys,
age/weight
and conform to safety standards.
bumpers, pillows, duvets, sleep positioners, wedges or bedding rolls etc.)
Use a clean,
firm mattress
that fits the
cot baby’s
correctly so
your baby
can't
get
• Check
regularly
to make
sure
head
stays
uncovered.
If
trapped in a gap between the mattress and the edge of the cot. The
the bedding slips over their head while they are asleep, they are at
mattress should be new, or used and in good condition (no tears) and
increased
risk and
of cot
death.
has a removable
washable
cover.
• Keep the cot free of soft objects and anything loose or fluffy (bedding,
Remember…
Facepillows,
up, face free
for a safe
sleep.
toys, bumpers,
duvets,
sleep
positioners, wedges or bedding
rolls etc.).
6
• Use a cot mattress that is clean, firm, flat (not elevated or tilted), that
fits the cot correctly so your baby can’t get trapped in a gap between
the mattress and the edge of the cot. The mattress should be new, or
if used in good condition (no tears). It should have a removable and
washable cover.
Remember…
Face up, face free for a safe sleep.
7
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Page 7
Don’t
yourbaby
baby
too(orhot.
Don’tlet
let your
getget
too hot
too cold).
Overheating can increase your baby’s risk of cot death.
Overheating
can increase your baby’s risk
A baby can overheat when asleep because of too much
of cot
death.
A baby can overheat when
bedding or clothes or because the room is too hot.
asleep
because of too much bedding or
To check how warm your baby is, feel their tummy
clothes
because
room
istheir
tootummy
hot.
– it or
should
feel warmthe
but not
hot. If
•
feels hot or if they are sweating anywhere your baby
is too warm, so remove some of the bedding.
Don’tOther
wrap
your baby in too many blankets.
signs include flushed, red cheeks and
Sheets
cellular
cotton
are hands
best, as
fastand
breathing.
Don’t
worryblankets
if your baby’s
feel the
cool temperature
– this is normal.by adding one
you and
can feet
adjust
°
°
20
68
18
65
16
60
Do notone
overdress
or taking
away.your baby – a nappy, vest and babygro are enough.
They can wear
in warm bag
weather.
• A sleeveless
babyless
sleeping
is a good alternative to blankets, but
Take
off
baby’s
hat
and
extra
do not use any other beddingclothes
with as
it.soon as you are indoors.
Make
sure
the
room
your
baby
sleeps
in is not too warm. The room
• Do not use duvets, quilts or pillows.
•
temperature should range from 16 - 20oC (62 - 68oF). If the room
feels too warm for you it is too warm for your baby. Consider getting
Makea room
sure thermometer
the beddingsocan’t
cover
head.
Your baby
that you
can your
easily baby’s
check the
temperature
of should
your baby’s
not wear
a hatbedroom.
when being put down to sleep. Babies lose heat
through
sopram
covering
head
may cause
Nevertheir
placehead
the cot,
or bedtheir
next to
a radiator,
heater your
or firebaby
or in to
directoverheated.
sunshine.
become
Don’t how
wrap warm
your baby
in too
many
and light
blankets
• To check
your
baby
is, blankets.
look forSheets
sweating
or feel
theirare
best, as you can adjust the temperature by adding one or taking one away.
tummy- it should feel warm but not hot. Other signs include flushed,
In warm weather your baby may not need any bed covers at all. Remember,
red cheeks
fastin breathing.
a blanketand
folded
half counts as two layers.
• Don’tDoworry
if duvets,
your baby’s
and feet feel cool - this is normal.
not use
quilts orhands
pillows.
• Do not
overdress
your
baby-a
nappy,
vest and babygro are sufficient,
Make sure the bedding can’t cover your baby’s head. Babies lose heat
or less
in warm
through
their weather.
head so covering their head may cause your baby to become
overheated.
• If your
baby has a fever use less bedding than normal and seek
You can
use aifsleeveless
baby grobag instead of blankets, as it will not cover
medical
advice
necessary.
•
the head if you use it properly. It should fit correctly around the neck so that
your baby’s head cannot slip down inside the bag. It must be light, with no
Makehood.
sureDothe
your
baby
sleeps
a comfortable
notroom
use any
other
bedding
withinit.isThe
grobag should temperaturebe the right
size warm
for youror
baby
enough
room for
them to move their
legsrange
and feet.
not too
toowith
cold.
The room
temperature
should
from
The
grobag
should
also
meet
the
relevant
safety
standard.
16-20°C (62-68°F).Use a room thermometer so that you can easily
check the
temperature.
Remember…
• Never place the
cot, pram or bed next to a radiator, heater or fire or in
Overheating can increase your baby's risk of cot death.
direct sunlight.
7
Remember…
Overheating can increase your baby’s risk
of cot death.
8
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Page 9
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Page 9
Breastfeed
your your
baby baby
Breastfeed
Breastfeed your baby
• Breastfeeding your baby
Breastfeeding
your baby
reducesthe
the
Breastfeeding
baby
reduces
theyour
risk
of reduces
cot death.
risk risk
of cotcot
death.
death.Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding toto
Aimof to
breastfeed
your baby
extent
andofofany
any duration
duration isis
anyany
extent
and
for
as
long
as
you
can.
protective
againstcot
cot death.
death.
protective
against
• Some mothers like to bring
Some mothers
like tobed
bring their
their
baby like
into
Some
mothers
to bringtotheir
babies
into
bed
to
breastfeed.
breastfeed.
pay careful
babies
into bed toBut
breastfeed.
But pay careful attention to the
attention
to
the
guidelines
But guidelines
pay careful
attention
the
on safe
sleep intothis
on
safe
sleep
in
this
booklet.
guidelines
booklet. on safe sleep in this
•booklet.
It’s safe to feed your baby
It’s bed
safe toas
feed
youras
baby
in bed
in
long
you
put
as long as you put them back in
in their
cot
It’s them
safe to back
feed your
babyown
in bed
their own cot to sleep.
to
sleep.
as long as you put them back in
Soothers
Soothers
their own cot to sleep.
Some research suggests that giving a baby a soother
Soothers
(dummy) every time they are being put down to sleep may
•
Some research suggests that giving a
reduce the risk of cot death.
Some research
that(dummy)
giving a baby
a soother
baby suggests
a soother
every
time they
(dummy)are
time
they down
are being
put
down
sleep
put
sleep
may
reduce
Ifevery
youbeing
are
breastfeeding
andto
you
choose
to to
give
your may
baby a
reduce the
riskrisk
ofwait
cot
death.
soother,
one month of age to make sure
the
of until
cot after
death.
Cellular
is well established.
blanket
Ifbreastfeeding
you choose
to give your baby a soother,
(allows air
If you are breastfeeding and you choose to give your baby a
to circulate)
make
sureif the
yousoother
offerfalls
it to
every
Don’t worry
out them
while your
baby is asleep.
soother, wait until after one month of age to make sure
time they are going to sleep.
Cellular
breastfeeding
is force
well established.
blanket
Do
not
your
baby
to
take
a
soother
if
they
refuse
it.
• If you are breastfeeding and you choose
(allows air
to circulate)
to
give
your
baby
a
soother,
wait
until
Don’t worry
the
soother
falls
out
while
your baby
is asleep.
Do if
not
attach
strings
and
cords
to soothers,
as these
could strangle your baby
after
one
month
of age to make sure
or cause
them
to choke.
breastfeeding
is
well
established.
Do not force your baby to take a soother
if they refuse it.
Keep soothers clean and never dip them in sugar, honey or other foods and drinks.
• Don’t worry if the soother falls out while
Do not attach
cords to soothers,
as these could strangle your baby
9
your strings
baby isand
asleep.
or cause them to choke.
• Do not force your baby to take a soother if they refuse it.
Do not
attach
strings
and incords
soothers,
these
Keep•soothers
clean
and never
dip them
sugar,tohoney
or otherasfoods
andcould
drinks.
strangle your baby or cause them to choke.
• Keep soothers clean and9 never dip them in sugar, honey or
other food and drinks.
•
9
SIDS
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Page 3
Let your baby have time on their tummy
Let your baby have time on their tummy
when
they are awake, while you supervise
when they are awake, while you supervise.
When your baby is awake, let them spend
some time on their tummy and sitting up,
✓
while you supervise. Tummy time helps your
baby to exercise and strengthen muscles in
their neck, arms and shoulders. It also helps
their brain develop and it stops the back of
their head getting flat. If your baby falls asleep
when on their tummy, be sure to place them
onto their back.
• Make
your baby
babyisisawake
awake
is never
left alone
on his/her
Makesure
sure your
andand
is never
left alone
on his/her
tummy.
tummy.
Always place your baby on a firm, flat surface. Avoid bean bags or very
paddedplace
furniture.
• Always
your baby on a firm, flat surface. Avoid bean bags or
It
is
important
to begin tummy time from birth.
very padded furniture.
It
is
recommended
that your
babytime
has tummy
time about 3 times each
• It is important to begin
tummy
from birth.
day for 3 to 5 minutes at a time. This should slowly build up to longer
• It is recommended for babies to have tummy time about three times
sessions.
per day for 3 – 5 minutes and slowly build up to longer sessions.
Remember…
Sitting
On their back to sleep
On their front when awake to play
devices
Car seats, swings, infant seats and similar
devices are not recommended
3
for routine sleep in the home. Sleeping in a sitting position can cause
your baby’s head to fall forward and make it difficult to breathe. If your
baby falls asleep in a sitting device they should be placed on their back
to sleep as soon as is practical. Babies should not be left unsupervised
for long periods of time while in a seated position.
10
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Page 10
If your baby seems unwell, get medical
advice early and quickly.
Dial
999
or for
112
in an emergency.
Dial 999
or 112
an ambulance
if your baby:
If
your
seems unwell
• is
notbaby
responding
to you,and you find it hard to
tell whether the illness is something minor or more
• stops breathing or turns blue, or
serious, seek medical advice from your doctor or
• cannot
be woken
public
health
nurse. or has a fit.
Call the doctor if your baby is drinking less than
Cot death is half their normal amount of milk. Babies and young
children often have minor illnesses which you should
• sudden and unpredictable
not be disorder
too worried about. If you find it hard to tell
• a recognised medical
whether
callweeks
your doctor
• the most common
causeanofillness
death isinmore
babiesserious,
from four
to one
year
for advice.
• most common between two and four months of age (although it
can happen toApnoea
older babies)
or breathing monitors cannot prevent
• only diagnosedcot
when
all
of death
ruled out.
death. other
Thesecauses
monitors
alert are
parents/carers
to apnoea (stopped breathing) or an apparent
life-threatening event.

Cot death is not 
• caused by immunisations
• caused by vomiting or choking
• suffocation
• preventable- but you can reduce the risks by following the
guidelines in this booklet.
Research into the cause of cot death is going on all the time.
Monitors
Apnoea or breathing monitors cannot prevent cot death. These monitors
alert parents/carers to apnoea (stopped breathing) or an apparent lifethreatening event.
IN EMERGENCY
DIAL
999 or 112
Please note:
rare.
spoil•
your
ACot
Mdeath
B UisLstillAquite
NC
E Don’t
• let
F Ifear
RE
Gtime
A with
R Dyour
AÍ
baby.
10
11
National
Paediatric Mortality
Register
This booklet was produced by the National Paediatric
Mortality Register in conjunction with the HSE Dept. of Public Health (Midlands) with the support of FirstLight.
If you have any questions about the information in this booklet please contact:
National Paediatric Mortality Register
George’s Hall, The Children’s University Hospital,
Temple Street, Dublin 1.
Tel: 01 8788455
www.sidsireland.ie
If your baby has died or you are dealing with parents who have suffered the
loss of their baby please contact FirstLight who can provide professional support nationally, free of charge, for you, the parents and family.
FirstLight (www.fi rstlight.ie)
0872423777 (7 days a week)
support@fi rstlight.ie
Publication date: 2016
Review date: 2018
Order code: HPM00078 Further copies of this booklet can be ordered from www.healthpromotion.ie
SIDS A5 booklet 2011:Layout 1
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Page 12
This booklet is co-produced by the HSE and the National
Paediatric Mortality Register and is funded by the HSE.