What causes cot death?

In the past cot deaths used to occur more often in the winter months, but since the introduction of the Reduce the Risk of Cot Death campaign, this peak has been levelling out. In the ’70s and ’80s the cot death rate remained fairly constant in England and Wales, at about 2 per 1,000 live births. After ‘Reduce the Risk’, the incidence halved dramatically within one year. In total, cot death has now fallen by 70% over the past decade. So there has never been a safer time to have a baby.

Reducing the risk

While the actual causes of cot death remain a mystery, you can reduce the risk for your baby.

• Place your baby on its 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 against the foot of the cot, to prevent them wriggling down under the covers.
• If your baby seems unwell, seek medical advice promptly

One of the most important studies in recent years is the Confidential Enquiry into Stillbirths and Deaths in Infancy (CESDI). This study was the largest ever to be conducted in England and Wales and examined the circumstances of 325 babies who died suddenly and unexpectedly. As well as reinforcing the Reduce the Risk advice, the findings also made it possible to give further advice.

• Do keep your baby’s cot in your room with you for the first six months.
• Do not fall asleep with your baby on a sofa.
• Do not share a bed with your baby if you smoke (even if you don’t smoke in bed), have been drinking alcohol, taking drugs or are excessively tired.