24 June 2011
SIDS and Kids (SA) is urging Australians not to become complacent about safe sleeping after statistics released on Red Nose Day, Friday 24 June show numbers of infant deaths in South Australia attributed to co-sleeping arrangements have increased five times since 2006.
Annual Reports from the Child Death & Serious Injury Review Committee show that while one death was attributed to co-sleeping in 2006, this number rose to 5 deaths in 2009. SIDS and Kids (SA) report that they have provided counseling to five South Australian families that have lost a child in a co-sleeping related death in the last twelve months.
The rise in co-sleeping deaths is in contrast to a reduction in the overall number of SIDS deaths which has dropped significantly since the inception of the SIDS safe sleeping campaign in the early 1990’s, reducing the incidence of SIDS by 85% saving over 6000 babies lives.
SIDS and Kids SA Acting State Manager Maurissa Ailion said that the new statistics were of great concern. She said that there was a need to raise awareness amongst the community that sharing a sleep surface with a child can increase the risk of fatal sleeping accidents.
“This is a worrying pattern which indicates that perhaps the safe sleeping message isn’t filtering down to some parts of the community,” Acting State Manager, SIDS and Kids SA Maurissa Ailion said.
“SIDS and Kids SA will be placing additional resources into raising public awareness in this area through working more closely with those in contact with new parents, such as midwives and carers to educate on the potential hazards of co-sleeping.”
Bringing a child into the adult bed to sleep can be dangerous for a number of reasons. It’s unsafe for parents who smoke, are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or who are extremely tired to share a sleep surface with their baby. Accidents have also occurred where children have become caught under adult bedding or pillows, or left alone on a couch or in an adult bed.
Annual Reports from the Child Death & Serious Injury Review Committee show that co-sleeping was a risk factor associated with one death in 2006, 3 deaths in 2007, 4 deaths in 2008 and 5 deaths in 2009. CDSIRC Chair Deej Eszenyi said that the increased numbers do not necessarily indicate a trend, but are a worrying reminder of the need to avoid all risk factors associated with sleep deaths in infants.
Ms Ailion said that recent media referring to the advantages of co-sleeping have the potential to cause confusion.
“Recent media encouraging co-sleeping which has only mentioned the benefits such as enhancing the bond between parent and child has not referred to the known risks. It’s important that parents are made aware of these risks to be able to make an informed choice,” Ms Ailion said.
”The safest place to sleep babies is in their own safe sleeping environment next to their parent’s bed for the first 6-12 months of life. While experts agree that it is important for parents to be in close sensory contact with their baby, they also agree that this can be achieved by sharing a room.”
How to Sleep your Baby Safely:
1. Sleep baby on the back from birth, not on the tummy or side
2. Sleep baby with face uncovered (no doonas, pillows, lambs wool, bumpers or soft toys)
3. Avoid exposing babies to tobacco smoke before birth and after
4. Provide a safe sleeping environment (safe cot, safe mattress, safe bedding)
5. Sleep baby in their own safe sleeping environment next to the parent’s bed for the first six to twelve months of life. Share a room, not a bed.
For more information please contact:
Simon Hatcher at Hughes PR – simon@hughespr.com.au or (08) 8412 4100
Natalie Ciccocioppo at Hughes PR – natalie@hughespr.com.au (08) 8412 4100
