Sids toll down as parents reduce risk

Hawke's Bay parents are learning that sleeping baby in a safe place reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

Fewer Hawke's Bay infants are dying inexplicably in their first year of life, statistics show.

Between 2007 and 2012 10 Hawke's Bay infants died from sudden infant death syndrome (Sids), the Ministry of Health says.

As the deaths were investigated through the coronial process, 2012 is the most recent year the figures are available.

Sids - also known as sudden unexpected death of an infant (Sudi) and cot death - is the sudden unexplained death of a child less than 1 year of age. To be considered Sids, the death must remain unexplained after a thorough autopsy and detailed death-scene investigation.

Sids usually occurs during sleep with no evidence of struggle or noise from the infant. The exact cause remains unknown.

However, associated risk factors include bed sharing, prematurity (less than 36 weeks gestation), low birth weight (less than 2500g), tummy sleeping, sleeping on or near pillows, sleeping in carseats and slings, and the presence of smoking during and after pregnancy.

Hawke's Bay midwife Inge Mills believed parents were learning to proactively reduce the risks associated with Sids.

"In Hawke's Bay there's really been quite a push in getting what we call the 'safe sleep' message out there," she said.

"We're talking about it [with parents] before they ask about it. We talk about it one stage in the pregnancy then after the birth before they leave the hospital they get told the safe message, then when they're at home I'll talk about it with them again. "Parents really listen to [the advice]."

Simple steps reduced the risk of Sids, Ms Mills said. "Being smokefree is really important, as is sleeping the baby on the back with nothing around the head.

"Breastfeeding, which we encourage anyway, also reduces the risk of Sids."

Nationally the number of Sids deaths fell from 57 in 2007 to 18 in 2012.

Sids and Kids New Zealand chief executive Margret Free also believed parents were becoming more aware of risk factors.

"We get about three or four calls a day, at least, from parents who want to know about what they can do to prevent Sids.

"There's also been a real push of our safe sleeping programme. We give out pamphlets in hospitals, and we're about to release new pamphlets in motels for itinerant travellers."

Parents should also be aware of babies overheating in winter.

"Parents think the baby's cold and put on too many layers. The main thing there is to dress your baby the same as you dress yourself when you go to bed.

"The room temperature should be about 21C and don't put them on piles of blankets."

For support, call SIDS and Kids 24 hour helpline on 0800-164-455.

Ways to reduce chance of Sids
•Sleep baby on the back from birth, not on the tummy or side.
•Sleep baby with head and face uncovered.
•Keep baby in a smokefree environment before birth and after.
•Provide a safe sleeping environment night and day.
•Sleep baby in his or her own safe sleeping place in the same room as an adult caregiver for the first six to 12 months.
•Breastfeed baby.

- Source: Sids and Kids New Zealand