By Annette Campbell
In 1988, more than 500 Australian babies died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Thanks largely to the research and education programs funded by Red Nose Day campaigns, that number has dropped by 90 percent, with less than 60 deaths in 2004.
That’s still 60 babies too many though, so the good work of the SIDS and Kids Safe Sleeping Program continues.
This year Red Nose Day is on June 30 and the focus of the campaign is research into other areas of infant mortality such as stillbirth.
“Operation 400 will be the major theme of Red Nose Day 2006 and is aimed at creating a wider awareness of the 400 unexplained stillbirths that happen in Australia each year,” explains Jennie Cameron, Chairman of National SIDS Council of Australia.
“The total number of stillbirths in Australia each year is 1300, a number that has remained constant for the past decade.”
What is SIDS?
SIDS is short for ‘Sudden Infant Death Syndrome’ and used to be called ‘cot death’. It describes the sudden and unexpected death of a baby from no known cause. SIDS is the most common cause of death in babies between one month and one year of age. Most babies who die of SIDS are under six months.
More babies die of SIDS in winter than in summer.
It is still not clear what causes SIDS. Some factors are thought to work together to reduce the risk of SIDS, but they may or may not help prevent any one SIDS death.
Remember, 1999 out of 2000 babies will not die of SIDS.
Sleeping your baby safely
Since the SIDS and Kids Safe Sleeping program’s inception in the early 1990s, it’s saved the lives of over 4500 Australian babies.
There are four main messages in the campaign:
- Put baby on the back to sleep, from birth.
- Sleep baby with face uncovered.
- Cigarette smoke harms baby before birth and after. Keep baby in a smoke-free environment at all times. Parents who smoke during pregnancy, and after the baby is born, increase the risk of SIDS for their baby.
In fact, if mother smokes the risk of SIDS doubles, and if father smokes too the risk doubles again, even if they smoke outside, away from their baby.
- Use a safe cot, safe cot mattress, safe bedding and a safe sleeping place day and night.
For more information about Red Nose Day, including details of all the merchandise available (‘Super Hero Bears’, pens, bracelets and of course, red noses!) visit www.rednoseday.com.au or phone SIDS and Kids on 1300 308 307. Resources for the Safe Sleeping campaign, including brochures, doorhangers, posters and fact sheets, are also available
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