Europe UK (Commonwealth Union) – Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) refers to the unexpected and sudden death of an infant under the age of one, which remained unexplained to a large extent. This term generally refers to a group of conditions, which include sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation, and other undetermined causes of death.
Researchers from the University College London (UCL) released a new report pointing out that change is required to the way safer sleep information is provided, for risks to babies from unsafe sleeping practices to be lowered.
The report, compiled by researchers at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education & Society together with colleagues at Oxford, Bristol and Newcastle Universities, was prompted by the government, as a result of sudden death in infancy data, with the objective of identifying the type of support required to bring down the incidence across all families.
In the Promoting safer sleeping for babies in high-risk groups in England report, researchers drew their attention to families faced with significant adversity, such as those provided with support from Children’s Social Care Services.
Dr Jenny Woodman IOE, UCL, Faculty of Education & Society says “Our study highlights how important it is that parents feel they can talk openly with professionals about all the different ways and places their baby might sleep – even if it’s only the odd night or occasional nap. This kind of conversation can be particularly difficult when families are in contact with child protection services, both for parents and the professionals involved.”
The report, indicated that a range of motivational factors have a part in decision-making regarding an infant’s sleep environment, including parents’ own requirement for sufficient sleep and their requirement to bond with their babies.
The research further indicated that professionals responsible for having conversations with parents regarding infant sleep safety sometimes are concerned about giving personalized and tailored support as well as managing risks in families with a social worker.
