Survey shows more than half of parents unsure how to sleep their baby safely

A survey commissioned by charity the Lullaby Trust has found that more than 55% of parents are unsure of the basic steps they can take to lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

The survey of 500 parents with children aged 0-2 years found that while most are aware of SIDS, there is confusion around one of the most fundamental steps to reduce the risk: sleeping a baby on its back for every sleep.

The survey shows 38% of parents are unsure whether they can sleep a baby on their front and 55% are unsure whether to sleep a baby on their side. The survey results are a worrying indication that parents are still not equipped with the information they need to reduce the risk of SIDS. Evidence shows that

babies who are slept on their back for every sleep are

six times less likely to die from SIDS than those who sleep on their front or side.