The media's focus on cot death in recent weeks might have caused many parents to worry about safeguarding against it. A study in The Lancet last week provides more evidence of risky parental behaviour and offers advice on prevention.
The study was conducted by the European Concerted Action on Sids (sudden infant death syndrome), which combined data from 20 countries to define the risk factors for Sids in Europe. For example, six out of 10 cases of cot death in Europe are caused by lying babies on their front or side.
Bedsharing with babies younger than eight weeks is highlighted: the risk of death increases 11-fold if the mother smokes and even if the parent is not a smoker it is doubled .
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