More than half of all new mums with babies under six months old say their greatest fear is that their baby will die in their sleep, according to a new survey from the safer baby sleep charity The Lullaby Trust* and Bounty Parenting Club.
The survey of over 1,800 women who had recently had a baby under six months old, showed that 62% said that they worried more about their babies dying suddenly and unexpectedly than being harmed in accidents or contracting meningitis.
Despite their fears, over half of mums are not following sleep safety advice and admit to having fallen asleep on a sofa or armchair with their baby at least once, and 49% of mums from Yorkshire said they had moved their newborns into their own bedrooms before they were six months old in order for everyone to get more sleep.
The Lullaby Trust is dedicated to providing every parent with the latest expert advice on how to reduce the risk of sudden infant death, helping to alleviate their fears so they can enjoy time spent with their new babies.
The charity’s research has shown that there is a 50-fold increase in the risk of babies dying suddenly and unexpectedly if a baby sleeps together with an adult on a sofa or an armchair. Likewise, the risk for a baby under six months old is increased if they sleep in their own bedroom as room sharing with their parents is shown to be protective.
Women were also asked where they put their babies to sleep during the day and the survey showed that babies were slept in a variety of places including car seats, bouncers, reclining chairs, baby swings and bean bags – against the Lullaby Trust’s advice that they should be in a cot or Moses basket with a firm, flat mattress.
Fortunately, 83% of respondents were mindful that sleeping babies on their backs was protective.
Francine Bates, The Lullaby Trust’s Chief Executive, said: “Five babies die suddenly every week in England and Wales, with no cause found for their death and their families left shocked and distraught.
“Although we haven’t yet identified a single cause for sudden infant death, we do know that there are lots of practical things parents can do to reduce their baby’s risk.
“The Lullaby Trust has pledged to halve the rate of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by 2020. If we are to achieve this we need to reach many more parents with the core piece of advice that the safest place of all for a baby to sleep is on their back, in a cot in a room with their parents, both for daytime naps and night-time sleep. If we can encourage every parent to follow this crucial recommendation we can save even more lives.
“From next month, a new Sleep Safety guide, kindly sponsored by our partners The Gro Company, will be included in Bounty packs which are handed to all parents of new-born babies in maternity units. This is a vital step to increase awareness, change behaviour and prevent further tragedies.”
Dr Robert Coombs, Consultant Neonatologist and member of the Sheffield Safe Sleep Steering Group, said: “It is vital that we raise more awareness amongst the general public and new mums in particular of unsafe sleeping places and the dangers of their baby sleeping in the bed with them especially if they smoke have drunk any alcohol or used any drugs. Falling asleep with their babies on a sofa or armchair is also extremely dangerous.
“In Sheffield we have set up a new training programme for health professionals and designed a safe sleeping leaflet, which is given to all new parents. We hope these initiatives will help to reinforce the key piece of advice that the safest place for a baby to sleep is on their back, in a separate cot or Moses basket, in the same room as their parents.”
Local Louise Barrett said; “My own son died whilst bed sharing, I fell asleep whilst breast feeding him. This research needs to be shown to a wider audience so that mums and dads are given the very best advice to keep their babies safe.”
Over the years Louise has done many crazy things to raise money for this charity, she will be getting on her bike in summer to take part in the Ride London 100 mile road race while also tackling Hell on the Humber endurance 12 hour run and the Great North Run. The fundraising never stops and neither should the raising awareness of the dangers of co-sleeping.
PICTURE: Louise Barrett (right) at the James Bond Fund Raiser event – View Pictures
