Area-based study shows most parents follow advice to reduce risk of sudden infant death syndrome

Aim: Guidance on reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) was successfully introduced to a number of countries in the early 1990s. The most important recommendations were supine sleeping for infants and non-smoking for mothers. This 2012-2014 study examined adherence to the national Swedish SIDS advice. Methods: We asked 1000 parents with infants registered at child healthcare centres in western Sweden to complete a questionnaire on infant care from birth to 12 months of age. Results: We analysed 710 responses and found that, in the first three months, 1.3% of the infants were placed in the prone sleeping position and 14.3% were placed on their side. By three to five months, this had risen to 5.6% and 23.6%. In the first three months, 83.1% were breastfed, 84.1% used a pacifier and 44.2% shared their parents' bed, while 5.8% slept in another room. Bed sharing was more likely if infants were breastfed and less likely if they used pacifiers. During pregnancy, 2.8% of the mothers smoked and the mothers who had smoked during pregnancy were less likely to bed share. Conclusion: Overall adherence to the SIDS advice was good, but both prone and side sleeping practices should be targeted.