Studies we've funded

The Lullaby Trust has been funding cutting-edge research since 1971 and our decades of research has developed the life-saving advice we deliver today, which has saved over 30,000 babies' lives.

Our research achievements

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Current research projects

Sling and baby carrier sleep safety

Two researchers are pictured next to one another, both women and both stood proudly. Behind them are pull up banners relating to SIDs and SUDI, and in front of them is a table full of useful information on their research projects.

Sophie Lovell-Kennedy and Dr Rebecca Strong, at the Durham Infancy and Sleep Centre (DISC), Durham University, are investigating the safety of slings and baby carriers.

Slings and baby carriers are often used by parents and carers to keep babies close, but these products can put babies at risk if poorly made, poorly fitted, or used incorrectly.

Learn more about this research

This project will look at the existing literature to find out what risks are associated with slings and baby carriers, and to find out why people choose to use them. The study will also ask UK parents about sling use; knowledge of safe sling use; and guidance/sources of information on sling use. They will then evaluate sources of sling and carrier safety information referenced by parents in the online survey.

Finally, using the information gathered, the team will consider how a future campaign about safe sleep/carrier use might look, and what messages and approaches could be included.

Grant award: £19,449.00

This research project is due to finish on 31 January 2026. The Lullaby Trust is jointly funding this research alongside Teddy’s Wish.

Midwives' experience of providing sudden infant death (SIDS) preventative care

Claire is taking a selfie, looking directly into the camera lens. She is smiling, wearing a white blouse. She has brown eyes and brown hair which is curling inwards by her chin.

Claire Carter, senior midwifery lecturer and clinical lead is working towards her Doctorate in Health Research. We are funding her project, exploring the experiences of midwives in providing sudden infant death (SIDS) preventative care.

Sudden infant death syndrome is a leading cause of preventable death. The rate has slowed since the Back to Sleep Campaign in 1991, however now research shows a high proportion of deaths occurring to families who live in areas of socioeconomic deprivation.

Risk factors are well recognised but they are complex, and may not be easily understood by parents, carers or midwives. Many families may be unable, unwilling or reluctant to modify their behaviour. For these families, behaviours such as smoking, alcohol and drugs are not easily controlled.

We don’t yet understand the experience of midwives providing SIDS preventative care. Claire will speak with midwives who understand the facilitators and the barriers these families face. The research will also explore with midwives if there is tailored advice for those living in areas of higher deprivation compared to those living in more affluent areas. This project could result in informed, targeted support mechanisms and education, to help support midwives in their role of offering the most tailored advice to families.

Grant award: £1,500.00

This research project is due to end on 31 May 2026. This research is funded by The Lullaby Trust.

Vaping and sudden unexplained death in infancy (SUDI)

Dr Joanna Garstang is leading a study looking at vaping in relation to sudden unexplained death in infancy (SUDI). Joanna is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham and a Consultant Paediatrician. She has spent many years leading research projects to improve understanding of why children die and to improve support for families.

We know that cigarette smoking before and after the birth increases a baby’s risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI). Vaping or e-cigarettes can help people to stop smoking, but many adults vape having never smoked cigarettes before.

This research aims to discover if vaping is a risk for SUDI, because at present, this is unknown.

The National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) holds detailed information on all babies who die. We will use information from the NCMD on 800 babies who have died from SUDI during 2020-2023. We will ask mothers of healthy babies to complete an online questionnaire about smoking, vaping, cannabis use and other SUDI risk factors. Then, we will compare smoking and vaping habits between SUDI babies and healthy babies to calculate risks, and discover whether vaping is a possible risk factor for SUDI.

Grant award: £24,988.00

This research project is due to finish on 30 September 2026. The Lullaby Trust is jointly funding this research alongside Teddy’s Wish.

A lady holds a baby on her lap. She is smiling to the camera while the baby turns his head away.

Where it all began; Martin’s life-long legacy

The Lullaby Trust was previously known as The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID). We were founded in 1971 following the death of baby Martin Charles de Selincourt, by Martin’s grandmother, Nancy Hunter-Gray.

She was unable to accept the sudden, inexplicable death of her healthy grandson and gave Professor Francis E Camps £200 to hold a two-day Symposium at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge in April 1970.

Past research projects

The Infant Home Surveillance Research Project - 1981

In 1981, in Sheffield, the Infant Home Surveillance Research project began. This started as a home monitoring programme of infants that were considered at risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). But researchers soon discovered that the additional presence of health professionals/researchers available to the families offered significant support to those who had previously lost a baby to SIDS.

The project went onto become the Care of Next Infant (CONI) programme that continues to this day. CONI supports families who have experienced a sudden and unexpected death of a baby before and after the birth of their new baby. Over 23,000 babies have been on our programme now, giving peace of mind and reducing anxieties for more than 20,000 families.

CONI was a massive weight of my shoulders. It helped me sleep knowing my child was safe I had less anxiety of a night time. CONI is an amazing scheme for babies, especially when there has been a loss in the family it helps so much.

Bereaved parent who has been on our CONI programme

Temperature - 1988

In 1988, we began to fund a number of projects exploring the effect of temperature on babies. As the results rolled in, it became clear that the ideal room temperature for babies was 16 – 20°C and that overheating was a risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This formed the basis of our guidance around room temperature and the risks of overheating that still exists today.

Baby illness - 1989

In 1989, we funded research that developed a scoring system for baby illness. This was to help parents and carers assess their baby’s symptoms, and determine whether they needed medical help or not. In more recent years, this has led to the launch of our popular Baby Check app. Our Baby Check app asks parents and carers 17 simple questions and at the end, they are advised whether they need to take their baby to see a medical professional. It has offered thousands and thousands of parents peace of mind, in their pocket.

Baby Check app

The Lullaby Trust's Baby Check app is such a good idea, as many parents worry about when to seek medical support. It will save so many lives. No one wants to sit for hours in A&E with their little one if it's not necessary. This app helps reassure parents when things are okay, and hopefully reduce the strain on NHS resources. I'm so glad the app is free, and easy for parents to understand.

Shezza, midwife

Busting mattress myths - 1990

In 1990, we funded a vital research project after a hypothesis that toxic gasses may be generated from plastic mattresses, causing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The research dispelled these concerns, demonstrating that toxic gasses from baby mattresses don’t cause SIDS.

Stillbirth and Death in Infancy Study: 1993 - 1996

We contributed towards funding the Confidential Enquiry into Stillbirth and Death in Infancy (CESDI) Study. It was the largest UK study ever completed, with data collected from 1993 to 1996. Over 300 sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) cases were compared to over 1200 controls. It is still widely used today, informing much of our safer sleep advice.

Smoking and SIDS, bedsharing and co-sleeping - 1998

We funded research that highlighted the effects of smoking and showed a link between sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and smoking. This contributed to our smoking guidance that we still share today.

We also funded research focussing on sleep practices between families like bedsharing and co-sleeping, for single babies as well as twins and multiples.

South West Infant Sleep Scene - 2006

We contributed towards funding the South West Infant Sleep Scene (SWISS). This study took place between 2003 and 2006, looking at all sudden unexpected deaths in infancy (SUDI) in the South West of England. The main focus was on potentially hazardous sleeping environments.

The findings are reflected in our safer sleep advice today, including our co-sleeping more safely advice and smoking advice.

Thank you for all the guidance you’ve provided via your website and responding to messages. You’ve really helped out an anxious first-time mum navigate the first six months of our baby’s life! I’ve made a small donation as a token of my appreciation.

Jasmine, first-time mum

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Ethnic health inequalities - 2008

In 2008, we funded a project that looked to understand ethnic variation in infant care practices. This showed a clear need for public health interventions targeted towards multicultural populations, and the need to better consider differing health promotion and risk prevention strategies.

Car seats and SIDS - 2010