Avoiding cot death

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS (otherwise knows as cot death) is the most common cause of death for children under one year of age, with the riskiest period occurring between two and four months. The highest incidence of SIDS, in which the baby suddenly stops breathing, occurs with babies who were premature, had a low birth weight, are bottle fed and live in a household where the parents smoke cigarettes.

A useful electronic aid is a microphone monitor which transmits the sound of the baby's breathing to other parts of the house - these are a help as long as the parents are listening.

Ways to help prevent SIDS include:

• Ensuring that the baby does not become overheated - use layers of light bedding. Quilts and cot bumpers are not recommended.

• Always putting the baby to sleep on the side or back - never face down. When the baby is sleeping on the side, the lower arm should be placed well forwards so that the baby cannot roll over onto its stomach. The baby's feet should be at the bottom of the cot.

• Using a clean, firm, well-fitting mattress with no pillow. Do not let the baby sleep on a water bed or bean bag. Always ensure that the baby's environment is smoke-free.