Do

• Make contact with the Scottish Cot Death Trust for guidance or advice before you make contact with the family.
• Say how sorry you are.
• Use the baby’s name.
• Ask if there is anything you can help with in your professional capacity.
• Offer further contact.
• Check if they have information about the Scottish Cot Death Trust’s support services.
• Leave your own contact number and any written materials you may have which might be of help to the family.

Don’t

• Assume that someone else has already referred the family to the Scottish Cot Death Trust for support.
• Use phrases such as “you’re young enough to have another baby”; “time’s a great healer” etc.
• Try to explain why their baby or child might have died.
• Ask them to repeat their story unless they wish to do so.
• Speculate about anything you aren’t sure about.