The following information is from the Ministry of Health - Health Education Resources, which focus on key public health topics. The resources outline and promote preventive measures that contribute to maintaining public health.
The resources are regularly updated or revised to ensure that the information they contain is accurate. Each resource is written and designed to be easily understood. The full catalogue of Health Education resources is available to view on: www.healthed.govt.nz/resources/thehealtheddatabase.aspx.
Information for parents and caregivers
Sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) used to be called SIDS or cot death.
No smoking during pregnancy
Smoking during pregnancy is an important cause of SUDI because smoking damages babies before they are born. It is important to stop smoking as soon as possible after a pregnancy has been confirmed. Many women find that it is easier to give up smoking when they are pregnant. A midwife or health practitioner can help pregnant women and other household members who smoke quit smoking. A phone call to Quitline (0800 778 778) can help people to stop smoking.
Sleeping position - Back to sleep
Put babies down to sleep on their backs. Babies who sleep on their backs are less likely to get their faces accidentally covered by sheets or bedding.
Room sharing
The recommended sleeping environment is having baby sleeping in a cot or basinette near the parents' bed.Babies who sleep in the same room as parents for the first six months are at lower risk of SUDI.
Co-sleeping
Co-sleeping (a parent who sleeps with their baby in bed) is dangerous when:
- the baby's mother has smoked during pregnancy
- the adult in bed with the baby has been drinking, or taking drugs or medicines that might reduce their awareness of the baby
- the co-sleeping adult is excessively tired.
There is also a small increase in the risk of SUDI from co-sleeping for babies less than three months old, whether or not the mother smoked during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding - ‘Breast is best'
Breastfeeding has many benefits for mothers and babies. Breastfeeding helps to keep babies healthy and well.
Acknowledgement and Copyright
Webhealth would like to thank the Ministry of Health for making this information available. The copyright owner of this information is the Ministry of Health Manatuu Hauora.
A PDF version of this title is available from: www.healthed.govt.nz/resources/thehealtheddatabase.aspx.
This content was last updated February 11, 2011.
