Bereaved mother backs fighton cot death

A MOTHER who lost her son to cot death is backing a new campaign to raise awareness about the risks of parents sharing beds with infants.

Since the death of her son Ellis seven years ago, Louise Barrett has promoted the work of the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID).

Infant deaths associated with co-sleeping appear to increase across Britain over the winter months, and Child Death Overview Panels in Hull and the East Riding are highlighting a number of risk factors. They include co-sleeping with the parent or carer if they are a smoker; if the parent or carer has been drinking alcohol or taking drugs or medication that makes them drowsy, or feels very tired; and if the baby has a low birth weight, or was premature

Mrs Barrett, from Beverley, said: “The Infant Safe Sleeping Campaign brings the message to many people and hopefully if it saves just one life then it will have all been worthwhile."

Consultant paediatrician Dr Mary Barraclough, the designated paediatrician for child deaths across Hull and the East Riding, said: “Some parents may not be aware that co-sleeping with their baby in a bed may increase the possibility of infant death.

“There has been a lot of research into the possible causes of sudden infant deaths over the years and FSID recommend that the safest place for a baby to sleep is in a cot or a crib in the parent’s room for the first six months of life.”