Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) – also known as cot death – scares most new parents, but it’s important to remember that since the start of the SIDS and Kids Safe Sleeping educational campaign there’s been an 80 percent reduction in the number of SIDS-related deaths.

Research is ongoing into the causes of SIDS, but it is wise to take the following precautions when putting your baby to sleep.

• Put her to sleep on her back, even if she suffers from reflux or is developing a flat head (plagiocephaly). Consult your doctor or the www.sidsandkids.org site for advice.
  
  
• Sleep baby in a safe cot in your room. Do not co-sleep (have baby in the same bed as you).
  
  
• Use a clean, well-fitting and firm mattress.
  
  
• Keep your baby’s head and face uncovered when she’s in bed.
  
  
• Don’t let her overheat. Use the following as a loose guide to how many blankets to give her, depending on the weather:
  * When it's 15℃ use a sheet and four blankets
  * When it's 18℃ use a sheet and three blankets
  * When it's 21℃ use a sheet and two blankets
  * When it's 24℃ use a sheet and one blanket
  * When it's 27℃ use a sheet only
  
  
• Remove quilts, pillows, cot bumpers and soft toys from the bassinet or cot.
  
• Don’t smoke, drink or take drugs during pregnancy.
  
• Don’t let anyone smoke around your baby – and don’t allow anyone to smoke near her room, or near windows or vents that lead to her room.
  
• Breastfeed, if you can.
  

For further information, contact your state’s branch of SIDS and Kids at www.sidsandkids.org