Soothers may reduce cot death risk

You will have probably heard or read on the news this month that a recent research study has suggested that giving your baby a 'dummy' (pacifier/soother) at night may reduce the risk of cot death. The results of the study are very convincing but as always the results have yet to be carefully analysed before new recommendations are made.

In the meantime the Foundation for the Study of Infant Death (http://sids.org.uk) provides us with the following advice:

'There is no reason for parents not to use a dummy but if they do, they must use it every time the baby sleeps and never forget to give the baby the dummy. Other factors to bear in mind: they should not coat the dummy in any sweet solution; they can take the dummy away when the baby is about 12 months old; also, if they are breastfeeding they might like to wait a month or so before introducing a dummy'.
(Study: 'Use of a dummy, pacifier,soother during sleep and risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS): population based case-control study, De-Kun Li et al, BMJ Online December 2005)

Other ways you can reduce cot death include:

• Cut smoking in pregnancy - fathers too!
• Do not let anyone smoke in the same room as your baby
• Place your baby on the back to sleep
• Do not let your baby get too hot
• Keep baby's head uncovered - place your baby with their feet to the foot of the cot, to prevent wriggling down under the covers
• If your baby is unwell, seek medical advice promptly
• The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a cot in your room for the first six months
• Do not share a bed with your baby if you or your partner:
• are smokers
• have been drinking alcohol
• take medication or drugs that make you drowsy
• feel very tired
• or if your baby was born premature, was small at birth, or has a high temperature
• Never sleep with a baby on a sofa or armchair