- The number of recorded cot deaths fell from 207 in 2004 to 128 in 2014
- Result of more mothers stopping smoking and safer sleeping practices
- Mild weather could also be a factor with less central heating needed
- Leading charities said it was essential that advice reached all parents
Kate Pickles For Mailonline
View
comments
Parents have been heeding advice about not making babies too hot at night with the number cot deaths falling to the lowest on record.
The number of babies dying from sudden infant death syndrome dropped to the lowest levels since 2004.
Today’s figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), showed there had been 128 deaths in 2014, down from 207 when records started in 2004.
The number of unexplained deaths in infants has dropped to the lowest in a decade, official figures out today have revealed
Francine Bates, chief executive of charity The Lullaby Trust, said: ‘Whilst it is extremely good news that Sids (sudden infant death syndrome) has gone down in England and Wales, evidence has shown that many more babies’ lives could be saved if all families had access to and followed safer sleep advice.
‘It is very important that we work together to ensure safer sleep messages consistently reach all families, particularly those at increased risk such as young parents and families living in areas with higher Sids rates.’
-
Parents who put expensive pillows in their babies’ cots to…
Joy of woman told she may never have children after she…
Tragedy of the little boy whose eyes bleed and POP OUT:…
‘Our unborn baby’s tumour was growing faster than he was’:…
Today’s report on unexplained infant deaths from 2014 – the most recent data available – includes both sudden infant deaths and those where the cause is unknown.
Overall there were 212 unexplained infant deaths in England and Wales in 2014.
Three in five of the deaths were recorded as cot deaths, with the remaining 40 per cent were unascertained.
Just over half – 55 per cent – of all unexplained infant deaths were boys in 2014.
Further deaths could be avoided if parents followed safer sleeping practices, a leading cot death charity said today
The fall is thought to be linked to unusually mild weather that year.
Two risk factors for unexplained infant death are overheating and an unsafe sleeping environment, such as the baby’s head being covered.
These situations may be more likely to occur during winter, through the use of extra clothing or blankets, and central heating at night.
Rosie Amery, from the ONS’s health analysis and life events team, said: ‘Unexplained infant deaths in 2014 were the lowest on record, driven by a decrease in sudden infant deaths.
‘A number of factors may have contributed to the fall, including warmer-than-average temperatures throughout the year, fewer women smoking at the time of delivery, and greater awareness of safer sleeping practices.’
Share or comment on this article
Most watched News videos
-
CCTV captures final tragic moments of Mirna Salihin’s life -
EXCLUSIVE Incest mom: I’d give up my other kids for my lover -
Child killed in Kansas City water park accident -
GoPro footage shows waterslide Verrückt that killed Missouri boy -
Clever parrot masters perfect meow as he plays with three cats -
EXCLUSIVE Incest son: I can’t plan who I fall in love with -
If looks could kill: Phelps shoots death stare to Chad le Clos -
Thrilling moment woman swims near lava during volcanic eruption -
Wife kicks out naked husband’s mistress from their flat -
Kathy Shelton talks about surviving brutal rape in 1975 -
Swimmer becomes meme after funny reaction to doing well in race -
See the winning moment! Phelps wins 20th Olympic gold medal
-
EXCLUSIVE: ‘We ended up kissing and kissing led to other…
-
Senator’s son, 10, was ‘decapitated when he was thrown…
-
EXCLUSIVE: Child rape victim comes forward for the first…
-
EXCLUSIVE ‘My dad flipped on me – don’t call, don’t visit’:…
-
The greatest! Michael Phelps gives Boomer a kiss and adds…
-
Poisoned: Moment woman drinks cup of ice coffee ‘her friend…
-
Stray dog waits SIX MONTHS outside hotel in Argentina after…
-
Matt Damon’s daughters are ‘rejected from fully booked…
-
Breathe in! Remember Eric the Eel…? Meet Robel the Whale:…
-
Trump in assassination storm: The Donald accused of…
-
A woman scorned: Wife comes home to find her husband in bed…
-
Georgia mom gives very awkward advice on Christian blog…
Comments (0)
Share what you think
No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts,
or debate this issue live on our message boards.
Find out now