Also known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), cot death is a prospect that haunts most parents at some time. But there's been lots of research into the subject over the last 15 years and enough is now known for parents to dramatically reduce the risk.
Here are some tips to calm your fears (and don't forget, boys and premature babies are at slightly higher risk). So:
1. Lie your baby down on her back to sleep.
2. Place her 'feet to foot'. His feet should reach the end of the cot, with blankets to her chest.
3. Don't let your baby overheat: never place a cot next to a radiator; don't use a duvet or any headwear.
4. Don't smoke in pregnancy or around a young baby (dads, too!).
5. Keep baby's cradle or cot in your room for the first six months.
6. Use firm bedding for him. No pillows, bean bags or water beds.
7. Don't put your baby into your bed to sleep.
8. Don't fall asleep on an armchair or sofa with your baby. You might smoother her.
9. If your baby is unwell, contact your doctor promptly.
10. Don't worry! Cot death is rare. especially after 5 months.
Dummies aren't a means of prevention as such, but they are associated with a reduced risk of cot death. These recent findings are slightly confusing for parents, but basically mean that if your baby uses a dummy, he should carry on doing so.
Experts don't yet know why dummies help in babies who are used to them, but the statistics prove they do. And dummy-users who suddenly stop are at increased risk of cot death.
So if your baby has a dummy, be sure to use it every night. It's thought that it may help by creating more air space if a baby's face gets under a blanket. But this doesn't wholly explain the difference between users and non-users, so there's no reason for you to introduce one as a means of prevention.