Does breastfeeding protect my baby from Cot Death?

Breastfeeding is the very best way to feed your baby and will help protect him from infection. However there are presently no findings from UK studies that it reduces the risk of Cot Death although some international studies do suggest a protective effect.

Does having my baby immunised increase the risk of Cot Death?

No. Research indicates that babies who have been vaccinated are at lower, not higher, risk of Cot Death.

Is it dangerous for our baby to sleep in our bed?

Yes. Recent research shows that the rate of death for small babies increases strongly if the baby shares a bed. The safest place for a baby to sleep is in his own cot or crib in a room shared by an adult - this includes daytime sleeps too.

Do I need a new mattress for each baby?

Two research studies carried out by The Scottish Cot Death Trust have shown an increased risk of Cot Death for babies sleeping on a mattress previously used by another baby. The risk was very small if the other baby was an older brother or sister in the same family but higher if the mattress was second-hand from another home. More research is continuing on this subject but meantime you may choose to avoid any potential risk by buying a new mattress. Otherwise, make sure the mattress is very clean, dry and in good condition. It's best to choose one which is totally covered with plastic which can be easily be washed down.

Should the baby sleep in his/her own room or our bedroom?

Recent research suggests that having the baby's crib or cot in the parents' room for the first six months is protective against sudden infant death. If you don't have room for this, have the baby in the next room and make sure both doors are open.

Can I take my baby in an aeroplane?

Several years ago there was a suggestion that babies might be at increased risk of sudden infant death if they had been on a long plane journey, because of the different oxygen levels in an aircraft. However, there is no evidence of a higher incidence of Cot Death in babies who have been travelling in planes.

My baby keeps turning onto his tummy in bed - what should I do?

As babies mature, some will choose to sleep on their tummies. There is nothing parents can do to prevent this and there is no point in getting up constantly during the night to move the baby onto his back. However, always put him on his back when you put him in his cot. Keep in mind that the peak age of Cot Death is 4-12 weeks and that, by the time most babies are able to roll over, they are past this high-risk period.

I want to breastfeed my baby in my bed during the night, but I am worried about the risks of cot death. What advice can you give me?

While it's perfectly natural to want to feed your baby in bed it's safest to put your baby back in their cot, after feeding, and before you go to sleep, especially in the first 3 months. There is a link between sharing a bed and cot death, particularly, if you or your partner:

• are smokers (no matter where or when you smoke)
• have recently drunk any alcohol
• have taken medication or drugs that make you sleep more heavily
• are very tired

There is also a risk that you might roll over in your sleep and suffocate your baby, or that your baby could get caught between the wall and the bed, or could roll out of an adult bed and be injured. It is also extremely unsafe for anyone to sleep with a baby on a sofa or armchair.

What kind of bedding is safest for my baby?

We do not recommend duvets or quilts for babies and we do not recommend cot bumpers because of the risks of suffocation. A single blanket is probably sufficient if the room is kept comfortable enough for an adult to be warm. Remember that one blanket doubled over counts as two blankets. If it is very cold, then obviously more bedding is needed. If your baby's tummy feels warm to the touch, he is fine. Don't worry too much if his hands and feet are cool to the touch.

Don't cover your baby's head indoors, even in winter.

By always placing my baby on his back, to sleep, I'm worried he'll develop a "flat head". What advice can you give me?

Babies should be laid to sleep on their backs at all times. Having "tummy time" when your baby is awake and supervised may prevent flat spots on the baby's head and will facilitate the development of upper body strength. Most deformational plagiocephaly ("flat head syndrome") can be prevented by alternating which end of the cot your baby sleeps on.

Babies should spend minimal amounts of time in car seats (when not a passenger in a vehicle) or other seating that maintains supine positioning. If you have already started to notice signs of plagiocephaly, improvement is usually noticed once the infant is old enough to sit, crawl and spend less time on his or her back - from around six months.

The Scottish Cot Death Trust is receiving an increasing number of phonecalls about the use of "special" pillows which are designed to prevent plagiocephaly. However, whilst these pillows may have been approved for preventing plagiocephaly, the Scottish Cot Death Trust cannot recommend ANY pillows for babies under 12 months because of the increased risks of cot death.

For further information about plagiocephaly please visit the Scottish Government's website article.

Is it safe for my twins to share a cot?

When twins are born, they are often placed in the same cot or crib to sleep and whilst we do not recommend this, we accept that for some small babies it is easier to settle them this way. Ideally they should sleep in separate cribs or cots in their parents' room for the first 6 months. However, if space is an issue and you have no choice but to have them sleep in the same cot in your room, then ideally they should be slept end to end in the cot with minimum covers, rather than side by side.

My baby was born prematurely, and I've heard it is safer to have him sleep in his own cot in my room for the first 6 months. Does this mean 6 months from his actual birth date, or 6 months from his "due" date?

Premature babies can sometimes have additional health issues and it might be best to discuss your baby's individual needs with your Paediatrician who will know more about your baby's health. However, if your baby is healthy and thriving, we would suggest you follow the normal guidelines of having him sleep in his own cot, in your room for the first 6 months from the date he was born.