Parents are being issues stern warnings over laying their babies down to sleep while wearing potentially fatal clothing. CPR Kids is warning that adults should avoid letting their youngsters wear hoodies, bonnets or beanies while snoozing.
The baby and child first aid services organisation details how keeping a baby's head and face covered while they are sleeping increases the risk of sudden and unexpected death. They explained: "Keeping your baby's head and face uncovered during sleep reduces the risk of sudden and unexpected death, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)."
SIDS, otherwise known as 'cot death' is when a healthy baby dies for an unexplained reason, with the NHS explaining that the condition affects in the region of 200 babies across the UK each and every year. The greatest risk comes in the first six months of a baby's life, usually when they are asleep.
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The Mirror reports that taking to social media, CPR Kids urged parents to make sure their baby's face and head was left uncovered while they sleep to reduce the risk of SIDS. Dr Bec Thornton, who is Red Nose's National Health Promotion Manager, added: "This is because it reduces the risk of suffocation from head coverings slipping down over your baby's face."
As well as leading to breathing issues, coverings can also cause overheating - given that babies typically regulate their core temperature through their head and face. Dr Thornton, went on: "Research has linked the risks of SIDS to overheating, and overheating can be caused by room heating, high body temperature, and excessive clothing or bedding.
"Placing your baby on their back and keeping their head and face uncovered for sleep has been shown in the research to be protective against overheating and suffocation, and therefore reduces the risk of SIDS."
Parents can further reduce the risk of accidental coverage through bedding by positioning their child's feet at the bottom of the cot. This way they are able to wriggle and slip beneath the blankets.
