Parents are being warned their babies are at risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), as 40% of mums and dads are not co-sleeping safely.
In a survey of more than 8,500 parents, cot death charity The Lullaby Trust found 76% of parents have co-slept with their baby, but four in 10 are doing so in dangerous circumstances. These include sleeping with their baby on a sofa, after drinking alcohol, or as a smoker.
Co-sleeping on a sofa or armchair was the most prevalent risk among those surveyed, with 40% of parents admitting to having done so and 25% having done it more than once. An adult falling asleep on a sofa or armchair with a baby increases the risk of SIDS by up to 50 times.
“Co-sleeping needs to be discussed with all families,” says Jenny Ward, acting CEO of The Lullaby Trust. “We know from talking to parents that if they are told not to co-sleep they will then feel they cannot discuss what actually happens. As a result they will not get important advice on how to co-sleep more safely.”
In the survey, 12% of respondents said they smoke and share a bed with their baby – and 9% have done so after drinking alcohol. Studies have found that bed-sharing with your baby after drinking alcohol or using drugs or if you are a smoker has a very high risk of SIDS.
It’s not uncommon for parents to doze off with their baby – in the survey, 33% of parents had shared a bed with their baby in an unplanned situation, which could mean risk factors were present such as loose adult bedding.
According to the latest available figures, around 133 babies die each year in co-sleeping situations, many of which will be in high-risk circumstances. The Lullaby Trust wants to reduce these deaths by highlighting the importance of open discussion between parents and health professionals on co-sleeping.
“It is a reality that even if parents do not plan to co-sleep, many still fall asleep with their babies unintentionally,” says Ward. “Babies can and do die in high risk co-sleeping situations.
“If given the right advice, parents can prepare for planned and unplanned co-sleeping that will help to mitigate those risks and reduce the chance of SIDS.”
The Lullaby Trust has collaborated with Public Health England, Unicef UK Baby Friendly and Basis have issued some key advice for safer co-sleeping:
:: Keep the space around your baby clear of pillows and duvets
:: Always sleep your baby on their back
:: Avoid letting pets or other children in the bed
:: Make sure your baby cannot fall out of bed or become trapped between the mattress and wall
:: Never leave baby alone in the bed
:: Never sleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair, this increases the risk of SIDS by 50 times.
It is important to know there are some circumstances where it is dangerous to share a bed with your baby.
You should not co-sleep if:
:: Either you or anyone in the bed smokes (even if you do not smoke in the bedroom)
:: Either you or anyone in the bed has recently drunk any alcohol
:: You or anyone in the bed has taken any drugs that make you feel sleepy
:: Your baby was born prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) or weighed under 2.5kg or 5½ lbs when they were born.
For more advice on safer sleep for your baby, download the free guide here or visit www.lullabytrust.org.uk.