Statistiek oor SIDS

Since parents and carers have been following the risk reduction advice first promoted in the early 1990s, the number of infants dying has fallen significantly.

What is sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)?

How common is SIDS?

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden and unexplained death of an infant where no cause is found after detailed post mortem.

188

babies die from SIDS every year in the UK

51 %

of unexplained infant deaths were boys in 2023

87 %

of SIDS happen in the first six months of life

Red butterfly sitting one someone's fingertips.

1 per 3495

The current unexplained infant death rate in the UK for live births. 

More statistics

Two people in bed, with a cot beside their bed, and a baby sleeping within it.

Kamer deel

Sharing a room with your baby can halve the risk of SIDS.

Find out more

Baby wearing a blue baby gro sleeping on their back.

Sleeping on backs

An infant placed on their front to sleep is up to six times more at risk of SIDS than one placed on their back.

Slaap posisie

Baby in a sleeping bag sleeping at the foot of the cot.

'Back to Sleep' message

The rate of SIDS in England and Wales has reduced by  81%  since the Back to Sleep message was launched in 1991.

More about the basics

Low birth weight

Babies born at low birthweight (2.5kg or 5.5 pounds) are four times more at risk of SIDS than babies born over this weight.

Low birth weight babies

Mothers under 20

In 2023, the unexplained infant mortality rate was highest for mothers aged under 20 years, at 1.07 deaths per 1,000 live births. This is almost four times higher than all other age groups.

Lady sleeping with baby upon her on a sofa, with a red cross next to it.

Sofas and armchairs

Sleeping on a sofa or armchair with a baby can increase the chance of SIDS by up to 50 times.

Saamslaap

Cigarettes in an ash tray with a red cross above them.

Rook

Over a third of SIDS deaths could be avoided if no women smoked during pregnancy.

Rook

Weekly death rate

Approximately 10 babies die suddenly and unexpectedly in England and Wales per week.

Baba veiligheidshulpbronne

Two hopeful people with their backs to us, looking out at the sun.

2023 death rate

164 unexplained infant deaths in England and Wales in 2023, a rate of 0.28 deaths per 1,000 live births: a decrease from 0.31 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022.

Rou ondersteuning

A baby is looking to their side with a huge, wide open grin. They have light to medium skin and the mum is looking down at them and smiling, with her face closely pressed to the baby.

Room-sharing up to six months

The peak age for SIDS is 1-2 months, however it’s important that families are encouraged to continue with room-sharing up to six months as 87% of SIDS occur during this period.

Late registrations of deaths have become more prevalent recently. For 2022, late registrations meant that the unexplained infant mortality rate was revised from 0.28 deaths per 1,000 live births to 0.31 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Ander

SIDS and SUDC statistics, facts and figures

A report on the statistics, facts and figures on SIDS and SUDC in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

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Find out more

A baby is being put down to sleep in a cot. They are looking up at their parent.

Veiliger slaap oorsig

Our safer sleep advice explains the steps you can take to keep your baby safer, reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

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