New parents worry about a lot of things, but research shows their biggest fear is cot death. Lisa Salmon talks to the Lullaby Trust to get advice on helping everyone sleep safe and sound.

 

New parenthood is a very exciting time, but it can also be very frightening. The responsibility of having a life completely dependent on you for the first time can understandably lead to new, and expectant, parents being plagued by constant worry.

The Lullaby Trust and Bounty Parenting Club has released research showing that the greatest of these worries are cot death (also known as sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS), meningitis and stillbirth.

The survey of 1,892 pregnant women and mums with babies and young children found that more than half (62%) of parents with a baby under six months old worried that their newborn may die in its sleep. The fears about cot death were far higher than concerns about meningitis (16%), stillbirth (11%) and accidents (11%).

Yet despite such evident concern about cot death, many parents aren't following safer sleep advice, with almost half (48%) of those surveyed admitting to sleeping on a sofa or armchair with their baby regularly or occasionally, and 43% saying they'd moved their baby into its own room before they were six months old.

As part of its continuing drive to reduce the number of cot deaths, the Lullaby Trust has now helped produce a Safer Sleep Guide, to be included in the free Bounty packs given to new parents in maternity wards.

The information includes advice about reducing the chance of cot death, for example: always place your baby on their back to sleep, put the baby to sleep in a separate cot or Moses basket in the parents' room for the first six months, and use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in good condition. It also explains things to avoid: do not sleep on a sofa or in an armchair with the baby or sleep in the same bed as the baby if you or your partner smokes, drinks, has taken drugs or is extremely tired. This also applies if your baby was born prematurely or was a low birth weight.

In addition, the guide explains parents should avoid letting their baby get too hot, and should never cover the baby's face or head while sleeping.

"The number of babies dying suddenly and unexpectedly remains stubbornly high in the UK compared to other Western European countries," warns Francine Bates, chief executive of the Lullaby Trust.

She stresses more needs to be done to raise awareness of the ways to prevent SIDS, adding: "This is why we're delighted to provide information on safe sleep in Bounty packs, reaching all parents right at the start of their new baby's life."

The number of SIDS cases have thankfully been decreasing since 1989, when there were 1,545 in the UK, and there are now around 300 cases a year. The fall was most marked between 1991 and 1992, when the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (the Lullaby Trust's previous name) launched its Reduce the Risk of Cot Death campaign and the number of SIDS cases quickly fell from 1,173 to 647.

There has been a slower decline since then though, and numbers now appear to have stabilised.

Midwife Gail Johnson. the Royal College of Midwives' education advisor, says: "Because we don't hear about cot death so much these days, it's sometimes not on parents' agenda, which is why it's important to have a guide that reminds people."

Johnson explains that stillbirth is actually much more prevalent than cot death, but parents tend to actively worry about it less because there isn't really anything they can do about it, unlike cot death.

Meningitis also is less of an issue for babies, as it is more likely to affect slightly older children. Newborn babies are less exposed to the wider environment where they may become exposed to the meningitis bacteria, and they have a degree of immunity from their mother for up to three months, particularly when they're breastfed.

"Breastfeeding is a fantastic opportunity to reduce the risk of infection," stresses Johnson.

However, she points out: "When babies are unwell, parents worry about all sorts of things - it's impossible not to.

"When babies get a snuffle, for example, they worry that it's something more serious, but of course it's perfectly normal for babies to get snuffly with colds.

"On the whole, as parents become more comfortable with being a parent they tend not to worry about little things quite so much."

Johnson points out that one risk parents of newborns should always be aware of is bacteria, which can cause gastrointestinal problems - these risks can be hugely reduced by sterilising anything a baby puts in its mouth.

"You're never going to keep them completely bacteria-free, but you can certainly minimise the risk," she says.

Overall though, for this or for any new parental worry, the key is to speak to someone.

"You may feel like it's your baby and you should know what to do, but sometimes you don't. There's excellent advice out there from midwives, health visitors and doctors, so for the sake of a phone call, just get some advice.

"They can put your mind at rest, or if something needs to be done then you can take action instead of just worrying."

:: For more information on safer sleep, visit www.thelullabytrust.org.uk


Ask the expert

Q: "I've just had a baby, do I need to use contraception to avoid getting pregnant again while I'm breastfeeding?"

A: Tracey Forsyth, British Pregnancy Advisory Service (bpas) lead contraception nurse, says: "Fully breastfeeding your baby can act as a really effective contraceptive, but you do need to follow some rules for it to work properly: your baby must be less than six months old, you must be exclusively breastfeeding and feeding at regular intervals (every four hours during the day and six during the night), your periods must not have returned, and your baby shouldn't be using a dummy for comfort.

"If that's too strict, there's a number of contraceptive options that are completely safe to use while breastfeeding. The coil (both copper and the mirena), implant, contraceptive injection and mini-pill won't affect your milk supply or your baby. You can also use Levonelle emergency contraception (up to 72 hours after unprotected sex) without needing to 'pump and dump' your breastmilk.

"Everyone is different and while some women feel like having sex again not long after giving birth, others want to wait. There's no right or wrong way to feel.

"Just remember fertility can return within a month of giving birth if you're not breastfeeding, so if you want to avoid pregnancy talk to your doctor or visit your family planning clinic to get the method that's right for you."


Good clean fun

:: Spacepop Bath Sponge

This multi-coloured and rocket-shaped bath sponge is ideal for livening up bathtime, and children of any age will love the bright stripes. Available from www.justmustard.com, £5.

:: Kids Stuff Crazy Soap

A funtime bathing range for kids including new Shake & Sparkle Foam Bath (£2.49, available from Boots) that fills the bath with glittery sparkles, and Colour Changing Bubble Bath (£2.40, available from Tesco) that's orange in the bottle but blue in the water. Also in the range is the mouldable soap in a can Crazy Soap Foam (£2, available from Tesco and Boots), and Crazy Soap Body Paint (£2.49, available from independent chemists), a soap that's a paint. All have a fruity fragrance and wash away after bathing, leaving no residue. Suitable for children aged three plus, under adult supervision.

:: Anorak Kids' Poncho Towel

Cute 100% cotton towelling poncho in Kissing Rabbits and Kissing Stags designs, perfect for drying off after a bath. Available in one size suitable for children aged three to eight, £25, available from www.anorakonline.co.uk.