Safe Sleep Practices: Many Parents Still Unaware Of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Risks, Study Reveals

Demand for baby boxes might have grown considerably at many hospitals but its popularity is still not enough to completely stop incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). A new study has learned there are still parents who are unaware of the risks of cot death as they fail to observe safe sleep practices.

The Lullaby Trust surveyed 500 parents about SIDS for its Back To Sleep campaign. Their researchers learned 94 percent of parents have heard of SIDS and yet 15 percent still think it's safe to let a newborn baby lie on her tummy while sleeping.

This result caused a huge concern for the experts. "The survey results have shown us we need to go back to basics," the trust's chief executive Francine Bates said, according to Huffington Post.

Bates said parents need to be educated on the proper sleeping positions for babies, with letting newborns sleep on their back as the only acceptable position. Babies should also sleep in cots or cribs without bumpers, pillows or toys to reduce the risk of accidental suffocation.

The Lullaby Trust said parents should think of the "ABC" when putting a baby to sleep, with the operative words being Always, Back and Clear. "Always sleep your baby on their back in a clear cot or sleep space," the organization stated in its campaign, as per Web MD.

Louise Silverton of the Royal College of Midwives echoed Bates' recommendation in light of the findings. "This survey shows there is clearly a need for more education and support for women and their partners who are expecting the birth of a baby," Silverton said, according to Telegraph.

The survey wasn't able to point out, however, why there were parents who failed to remember safe sleep practices for newborn babies. The researchers said some of those surveyed were older than 25 years and were likely made to sleep on their front or side as babies. Hence, they have been doing the same for their own kids.