Around 189 babies and young children still die every year from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in the UK.
Research has shown that several factors are more commonly associated with babies who die of SIDS than those who survive. There are some factors that you can change in order to reduce the risk of SIDS.
At The Lullaby Trust, we’re here to keep babies safe and keep families supported. This is why we offer expert information and advice, empowering parents and carers to make decisions for their baby.
It is on these risk factors that we focus our advice to parents, as outlined below:
| Factors associated with an increased risk of SIDS | Factors associated with a decreased risk of SIDS |
|---|---|
| Unsafe sleeping positions | Room sharing |
| Smoking | Breastfeeding |
| Unsafe sleeping environments including bedsharing in hazardous circumstances and sofa sharing | Dummy use |
| Temperature and overwrapping | Immunisations |
| Bedding and mattresses | |
| Alcohol and drug use in pregnancy | |
| Poor antenatal care |
Evidence base
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Our evidence base
Our detailed and full evidence base can be read here. It outlines all the guidance and research that we base our own information and advice on.
