Parents warned never to make this mistake that has killed 19 babies in past year
Parents have been warned to avoid co-sleeping with their children in "high-risk" situations after new figures revealed the amount of infant deaths that took place last year.
Research into sudden and unexpected deaths in babies has cited co-sleeping as a "preventable factor". It comes after new statistics revealed that 19 infants ( under the age of 18 months ) tragically died in Scotland last year, whilst sleeping next to their parents. Of these deaths, 12 involved alcohol or drugs being consumed ahead of going to bed.
Solicitor General for Scotland Ruth Charteris urged carers to listen to safety advice after the devastating numbers were released. She said she was "saddened and greatly concerned" to see the unsafe co-sleeping is still taking place.
The figures were released following several investigations led by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). In 2023, COPFS received 74 reports of babies who had died. Ruth Charteris said: “Sudden infant deaths are rare but are without doubt one of the most devastating tragedies that a family could experience. I send my deepest condolences to everyone who has suffered such an overwhelming loss.
“The findings of COPFS’s investigations highlight that continuing efforts to promote safer sleep practices with parents are vitally important. We can see that overall, safer sleep advice has worked to save the lives of thousands of babies. However, I am saddened and greatly concerned by our findings which show unsafe co-sleeping is still happening.
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The investigations were led by by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (Getty Images/iStockphoto)“I can understand the challenges of getting enough sleep as a family, but expert advice should be followed. The evidence of the cases reported to the procurator fiscal shows that, tragically, babies can and do die in high-risk co-sleeping situations. It is my sincere hope that by drawing attention to our concerns, prompted by the outcome of our investigations, the number of baby deaths in which co-sleeping was a preventable factor can be even further reduced through open conversations about safer sleeping.”
Safer sleep advice includes ensuring babies are on their backs, not their front or side, before going to sleep. Parents are also advised to ensure their child’s sleeping space is clear, with no raised cushion areas. Guidance states it is dangerous to sleep with a baby if you or anyone in the bed has recently drunk any alcohol, smokes, has taken any drugs that make them feel sleepy, or if the baby was born prematurely or weighed under 5lb 8oz at birth. In these scenarios, advice states it is always best to put the baby in their own safe sleeping space, such as a cot or a Moses basket. Further advice can be found here.
Support is available for anyone affected by the death of a child. A free helpline to the charity Sands is available on 0808 164 3332 between 10am and 3pm Monday to Friday, and 6pm-9pm Tuesday to Thursday. You can also email [email protected] for support. The Lullaby Trust can also be contacted for free on 0808 802 6868, or by emailing [email protected].
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