AS the festive season approaches, the Essex Safeguarding Children Board (ESCB) is re-launching their Safer Sleep for Babies campaign.
The Southend, Essex and Thurrock Strategic Child Death Overview Panel has found that there has been several unexpected baby deaths across the county in recent months where co-sleeping, sleeping position or surface has found to be a factor in the death.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of the risks of co-sleeping and offer advice on the correct sleeping position and surface to prevent future deaths.
The advice is particularly prominent in the run up to the festive season when families may be out of their usual bedtime routine; sleeping arrangements may be different to normal and other people may be putting baby to bed.
Simon Hart, Independent Chair of the ESCB said: “Christmas is a time many people want to go out and celebrate, so it’s really important that if you’re using a baby-sitter you are confident they know the Do’s and Don’ts of safer sleeping for babies. Even if they’re just watching your child while they nap, sleeping precautions should be followed all day not just at night-time. If we can educate people about the dangers of poor sleeping conditions, and prevent just one more tragic death, the campaign will be worth it.”
Mike Gogarty, Chair of the Southend, Essex and Thurrock Strategic Child Death Overview Panel said: “The death of a child is always tragic and too many sudden and unexpected deaths occur because of co-sleeping, incorrect sleeping position and surface. These tragic deaths could be easily avoided by following safe sleeping advice for babies during all nap times not just night time.”
Safe sleeping advice for babies:
DOs
– Always place your baby on their back to sleep, with their feet to the foot of the cot
– Place your baby in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for the first six months
– Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in good condition
– Breastfeed your baby if you can
– Keep your baby smoke free during pregnancy and after birth
DON’Ts
– Never sleep on an armchair or sofa with your baby
– Don’t sleep in the same bed as your baby if you smoke, drink or take drugs, or if your baby was born prematurely or of low birth weight
– Avoid letting your baby get too hot
– Don’t use loose bedding or cover your baby’s head or face while sleeping
This advice is for all sleep periods, not just at night time.
Parents and carers can access Safer Sleep resources on the ESCB website http://www.escb.co.uk/ParentsCarers/SaferSleep.aspx or http://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep
You can also follow @EssexSafeguards #safersleep campaign on Twitter in December.
