Friday 25 June 2010
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) continues to be a sad reality for a small percentage of new parents in Australia.
SIDS is the sudden and unexplained death of an apparently healthy infant, for which no cause can be found.
Friday 25 June 2010 is Red Nose Day, the annual event to raise awareness about SIDS in Australia, and to fundraise for continued research into the syndrome.
NT Department of Health and Families (DHF) Program Director of Child and Youth Health, Dr Victor Nossar, said Red Nose Day gives Australian parents a yearly opportunity to update their knowledge about SIDS.
"There has been extensive research into SIDS in the past 20 years, and studies into safe sleeping recommendations have been proven to lower the risk of SIDS," Dr Nossar said.
According to research released by the non-government organisation, SIDS and Kids, an average of 46 per cent of infants who died suddenly and unexpectedly in Australia in 2007, died while co-sleeping - that is, sharing a bed with their parents.
"Research shows there are a number of factors that can increase the risk of SIDS. These include sleeping a baby on its stomach, or on a soft surface, exposure to first and second hand smoke during the pregnancy, and overheating the baby," Dr Nossar said.
SIDS and Kids recommends the following safe sleeping guidelines for babies:
* Sleep baby on the back, not on the tummy or side
* Sleep baby with face uncovered
* Avoid exposing babies to tobacco smoke
* Provide a safe cot, mattress and bedding
* Sleep baby in their own safe sleeping environment next to the parents' bed for the first 6 -12 months.
Media contact: Jasmine Featherstone 0401 116 144
