A University of Warwick study of 27 serious case reviews involving SUDI found that if parents followed UK safe sleep guidance many of those infant deaths could have been avoided.
In 19 of the 27 cases, parental drug or alcohol use was directly involved in the lead up to the infant's death. In 12 of the 16 cases where parents were sleeping with their infants at the time of death, substance use was a factor.
In light of this, the researchers recommended that children's professionals help parents who use drugs and alcohol to develop safe sleep practices.
"Health visitors and midwives should be encouraged to ask both parents about their use of alcohol and other substances, and help them develop safe sleep practices, including the avoidance of co-sleeping, which can then be used when parents are affected by substances," the review concluded.
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