Preventing infection
Babies are more vulnerable to infections than older children, especially in their first few weeks. Here you will find the signs and symptoms to look out for that your baby might be unwell.
Tell me a bit about you
I’m a stay-at-home mum, and I live with my three daughters, Nevaeh, Niyah and Naleyah who are eight, four, and four months. My littlest is doing well – the elder two won’t leave her alone!
Can you tell me about your brother?
Daniel was my older brother. He was the middle sibling in our family, arriving after my eldest brother, and three years before me. He died when he was a baby due to SIDS – he’d be 33 now.
Daniel’s death has massively affected my family. I tried counselling, but I found that it wasn’t for me. As time has gone on, I’ve become more comfortable speaking about my grief. I find it useful reading and watching other people’s stories on social media. It reminds me that I’m not alone. I once put my mum in touch with a lady I found on TikTok whose little boy died, and they’ve found comfort in speaking to each other.
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I always tell my girls about their uncle Daniel, and we go and visit his grave regularly. My mum will also never forget about him. She likes to talk about Daniel, and think about what he would be like now. I'm looking forward to giving her her 60th birthday present - a necklace with his picture in. He'll always be in our thoughts.
Zoey
How has The Lullaby Trust supported you to look after your three girls?
After what happened to Daniel, I did get panicky about SIDS myself. At an antenatal appointment with my eldest, I mentioned what happened to my brother. They told me about The Lullaby Trust and their Care of Next Infant (CONI) programme. I was offered a movement monitor which provided me with such peace of mind. For my first two children, I used a monitor with a lead, but with my third I was offered a Snuza monitor. It was brilliant and so easy to use. I know that my mum also used a monitor when I was a baby, and it really put her mind at ease.
Having access to the Snuza app is so handy, and I find the beeping sound of the monitor such a comfort.
How else has CONI supported you?
When my youngest was three weeks old, I had to take her to the hospital because of her breathing. I used the paediatric passport which meant she got seen straight away and checked over. That really calmed me, because I was feeling really panicky.
I also find the symptom diary really useful, and I always use it when she’s feeling unwell. My mum told me she still has my symptom diaries from when I was a baby!
I think that CONI should be available everywhere, and I think The Lullaby Trust’s Campaign for CONI is so important.
Is there any other ways The Lullaby Trust has supported you?
I used the Baby Check app with my eldest, and it was so useful. It runs you through which symptoms to look for, and tells you when to go to the doctors. It really helped give me peace of mind.
I also found The Lullaby Trust’s safer sleep advice so helpful. It taught me to avoid fluffy blankets and how to dress my baby when she sleeps, especially when the weather is really hot.
Discover more
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How to keep your baby's airway open so they can breathe easily while they’re sleeping. Find safe ways for your baby to sleep, to help keep their airway open and clear.
Facebook support group
A closed group where you can meet bereaved families who have experienced the death of a baby or young child, to talk and support each other.
Harpal’s story
Harpal shares how the loss of her brother Jagdeep in 1985 made her feel when she was becoming a parent, and how the CONI scheme gave her and her husband, Vishal, reassurance and support.
You can support people like Zoey
Donate today and your kindness will empower families with trusted and life-saving baby safety advice, as well as providing a supportive space for anyone who has experienced the the sudden or unexpected death of a baby or infant.