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Cot Death
Research and education have made cot death a rare occurrence. However it is something you should be aware of and there are a number of ways you can reduce the risk of cot death. These include:

• Placing your baby to sleep on his back
• Ensuring that your baby is not too warm
• Preventing anyone from smoking near your baby

Cot Death
Recent research and education campaigns have cut the rate of cot death by nearly 70%. Cot death is a rare occurrence, so try not to let worry stop you enjoying your baby's first few months.

What is cot death?
Cot death - technically known as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) - is the sudden, unexpected death of a baby, for which no cause can often be found even after an autopsy.

What is the risk of cot death?
According to the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID), cot death occurs most often in babies under the age of 6 months, with over three-quarters of all cot deaths occurring in this age group. Cot death is slightly more common in boys than in girls, and in second children. It is more likely to occur in winter than in summer.

What are the possible causes of cot death?
Experts think there is no single cause of cot death. Most deaths are thought to be due to some abnormality in breathing or in the heart rate. It is likely that some babies die of a sudden, overwhelming respiratory infection. It is thought that others may die from an undetected metabolic error that they are born with (technically called an inborn error of metabolism).

Even though most cot deaths occur without warning, it seems as though some babies may have been suffering minor symptoms (such as a cold with a stuffy nose) for several days before their death. Some show unexplained weight loss before their death.

What is the impact of a cot death?
The death of a baby from cot death is a devastating experience. Grief at the loss may show in a range of different ways in different people. Some parents feel intense guilt, wondering if they could have done something either to cause the death, or to have prevented it. Some parents may become very withdrawn, not wanting to see or speak to anyone. Others may become angry at the unfairness of the loss of a baby, particularly when they see their friends' babies continuing to develop. Some people have physical symptoms due to their grief, while others may become depressed.

The grief after losing a baby to cot death can have a major effect on the relationship between the baby's mother and father. It may also affect other family relationships, such as with other children. People experiencing the loss of a baby to cot death may lose confidence in their ability to care properly for any other children.

On top of dealing with the death of their child, parents of a victim of cot death will have to deal with a post-mortem examination of their baby and a police interview, both of which are required by law when a baby dies suddenly and unexpectedly.

Support
It is important to ask for - and accept - the help you need after suffering a cot death. Health professionals, such as a sympathetic GP, pediatricians, health visitor, nurse or social worker may be able to help. For people with religious beliefs, speaking to a church minister, priest or other religious leader can provide support. Talking to other parents who have been through the same experience can provide great comfort.

What can you do to reduce the risk of cot death?
The latest advice on reducing the risk of cot death from the Department of Health recommends that you:

• Place your baby on his back when he goes to sleep
• Cut out smoking in pregnancy (both partners)\
• Do not let anyone smoke in the same room as your baby
• Do not let your baby get too hot
• Place your baby in the cot in the 'feet to foot' position, so his feet are nearly touching the bottom of the cot - this will prevent your baby wriggling down the cot and getting too hot under the covers
• Keep your baby's head uncovered when indoors
• Seek advice promptly if your baby is unwell.
• Place your baby to sleep on the back. Putting your baby to sleep on the back from the very beginning will reduce the risk of cot death. Don't worry that your baby is more likely to choke if they sleep on their back - this is not the case. At about 5 or 6 months, it is normal for babies to roll over and you should not try to stop your baby doing this. Reassuringly, this is the age at which the risk of cot death decreases rapidly.

Your baby should not sleep in bed with you if you or your partner smoke, take any drugs or medication that make you sleep more heavily, have recently drunk alcohol, or are very tired.

To stop your baby's head becoming covered with bedding during the night, put them down with their feet at the bottom of the cot or pram. Place the covers so they reach no higher than your baby's shoulders. Some parents may find it reassuring to have their baby's cot in their bedroom during the first six months. Do not use duvets or pillows until baby is 1-year-old.

Stop smoking
Try to stop smoking before you become pregnant. If you need help to stop smoking, ask your doctor. After birth, don't let anyone smoke in the same room as your baby - ask them to smoke outside. Babies exposed to cigarette smoke are at increased risk of cot death. Additionally, try not to take your baby into smoky places.

Don't let your baby get too hot
Overheating can increase the risk of cot death. Babies can get too hot because of too much bedding or clothing or because the room is too hot. When you check your baby, if he or she is sweating or their tummy feels hot to your touch, take off some of the bedding. Don't worry if the baby's hands or feet feel cool - this is normal. A rule of thumb is to put on one more layer of light clothing than you yourself are wearing.

Don't overheat your baby's room.
Keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for you - about 18 degrees C (65 degrees F). Take off your baby's hat and outdoor clothing as soon as you go indoors.

Seek advice promptly if your baby is unwell
Babies often have minor illnesses, which you should not worry about. Make sure your baby drinks plenty of fluids and does not get too hot. But if you are worried, call your doctor for advice.

• stops breathing or goes blue
• does not respond and shows no awareness of what is going on
• has glazed eyes and does not focus on anything
• cannot be woken
• has a fit. Even if your baby recovers quickly, you should still contact your doctor.

If you have lost a baby due to a cot death, you are bound to be anxious about subsequent children. Some parents find it useful to use an alarm that sounds if your baby stops breathing. There is, however, no evidence to suggest that use of alarms reduces the risk of cot death, and false alarms may make you a lot more anxious.

(Articles from MotherCare UK Website)