CU1552 how to minimise sudden infant death or cot death?

[stac83]

hi, i am little stuck on this question, not quite sure how to start it.
CU1552, 4.4 Explain current advice on minimizing sudden infant death syndrome in everyday routines for babies.

all i keep thinking is follow the guidance to try prevent this from happening, i obviously need more and not quite sure where to start, so any help would be much appreciated ;D xx

[Ruthierhyme]

Hi, it's about how & what you actually do in order to prevent sid from happening.

There's guidance here, depending on your home nation ..

Northern Ireland: http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/sudden-in...-syndrome-sids
Scotland - http://scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People...by/babies/SIDS
England - http://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/new-d...safe-baby-care
Wales - http://wales.gov.uk/topics/childreny...death/?lang=en

http://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/new-d...ep/safer-sleep

Best wishes

[stac83]

awesome thank you soo much, sounds easy enough then, very much appreciated xxx

[Sofia#1]

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) – also known as cot death – is the sudden, unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently well baby. Most deaths happen during the first six months of a baby’s life. Infants born prematurely or with a low birth weight are at greater risk, and SIDS is also more common in baby boys. Most unexpected deaths occur while the child is asleep in their cot at night. However, SIDS can also occur when a baby is asleep during the day or, occasionally, while they are awake. Parents can reduce the risk of SIDS by not smoking while pregnant or after the baby is born, and always placing the baby on their back when they sleep. Experts believe SIDS occurs at a particular stage in a baby’s development, and that it affects babies who are vulnerable to certain environmental stresses. This vulnerability may be due to being born prematurely or to low birth weight, or other reasons not yet identified. Environmental stresses could include tobacco smoke, getting tangled in bedding, a minor illness or having a breathing obstruction. Babies who die of SIDS are thought to have problems in the way they respond to these stresses and how they regulate their heart rate, breathing and temperature. Although the cause of SIDS is not fully understood, there are things you can do to reduce the risk.
To prevent SIDS:
• Place your baby on their back to sleep, in a cot in the room with you.
• Don't smoke during pregnancy or let anyone smoke in the same room as your baby.
• Don't share a bed with your baby if you or your partner smoke or take drugs, or if you have been drinking alcohol.
• Never sleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair.
• Don't let your baby get too hot or too cold.
• Keep your baby’s head uncovered. Their blanket should be tucked in no higher than their shoulders.
• Place your baby in the "feet to foot" position (with their feet touching the end of the cot or pram).

hope this helps x

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http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Sudden-...roduction.aspx