Drive to reduce Sudden Infant Death Syndrome launched by Kent County Council

Each year about nine families in Kent suffer every parent's worst nightmare - the sudden, unexplained death of a child.

In January, Natalie Spicer and Luke Coyle from Canterbury battled in vain to revive three-month-old son Harvey as 999 operators gave CPR advice on the phone.

Paramedics arrived minutes later, but delivered the devastating news that their fit and healthy baby was dead.

Baby Harvey’s death was treated as a case of sudden infant death syndrome (Sids), which claims about 290 babies and toddlers every year across the UK.

Now a new campaign aims to reduce the number of children - and parents - who suffer such tragedy.

There are no obvious reasons for these deaths, but research has shown that some factors do increase the risk of Sids.

The main factors include overheating and co-sleeping, and the campaign aims to advise parents - and provide practical help - on how to minimise the risk.

Kent Safeguarding Children’s Board and partner organisations have developed thermometer cards that will help parents monitor the temperature of the room in which their baby is sleeping.

These are being given to parents by health visitors and midwives.

Swale Health Visitor Tracey Methley-Keen believes it’s a vital support tool.

She said: “It’s really awful for parents when they are just so tired and struggling to get their baby to sleep that they decide to lay down with the baby or they wrap it up in lots of layers to avoid it waking up cold, especially at this time of year when the temperature drops.”

“Many parents often don’t realise how dangerous this can be and we need to keep having the conversations to remind them – the thermometer cards are a valuable visual reminder and a great conversation prompt.”

Mum Jemma Gardner from the Isle of Sheppey said: “My daughter Maisie is 14-weeks-old and I’m fairly aware of the dangers of her overheating but I know some new parents aren’t and they can be easily confused, especially when it’s winter and you’re looking at putting your baby in a grow bag or a blanket to sleep.”

Kent County Council public health director Andrew Scott-Clark explained the work underway to help raise awareness: “It is vitally important for health visitors, midwives and other professionals working with parents during and after pregnancy to target parents with safer sleep messages.

We are working with partner agencies and organisations across the health sectors in Kent to ensure that all professionals in touch with parents make sure that the messages are understood by them.”

According to health experts, babies are at greater risk if they sleep on an adult bed or sofa, either during the day or night.

Babies are also at greater risk if parents sleep with their baby in an adult bed, on a sofa or armchair.

This risk increases if they smoke, have drunk alcohol or taken drugs, including perscription medication.

The Lullaby Trust is a charity that works to increase awareness of Sids and support parents who suffer such tragedy.

Sarah Wilson from the Lullaby Trust said: “It is very encouraging to see that Kent Safeguarding Children’s Board is taking steps to help parents sleep their baby safely during the winter.

"A room temperature of 16-20°C, with light bedding or a lightweight well-fitting baby sleep bag is recommended to avoid overheating but it can be difficult to judge room temperature so a thermometer card will be helpful for parents.

"It can be tempting for parents to wrap their baby up in lots of layers when the weather is cold so the advice will assist parents in making informed choices about their baby’s bedding to avoid letting them get too warm.

"It is also advisable to check your baby regularly to see if he or she is too hot by feeling the baby's tummy or the back of their neck and if their skin is hot or sweaty to remove one or more layers of bedclothes."

Advice to avoid overheating

• Never cover your baby’s head when they are sleeping

• Never put your baby to sleep in a cot/crib with pillows, cot bumpers, duvets/quilts or soft toys

• Always remove your baby’s hat and outer clothing when coming indoors – especially if the baby is asleep

• Always remove your baby from their car seat as soon they are brought inside – car seats are designed for transport only.

• Avoid dressing your baby in warm clothing when carrying in a baby sling – they could overheat.