Does smoking cause cot death?

Smoking during pregnancy greatly increases your baby’s risk of cot death. If you smoke during pregnancy, your baby is more likely to be born prematurely or have a low birth weight. Babies who are premature and have a low birth weight have a higher risk of cot death.

What does smoking have to do with SIDS?

Secondhand Smoke Causes SIDS Smoking by women during pregnancy increases the risk for SIDS. Infants who are exposed to secondhand smoke after birth are also at greater risk for SIDS. Chemicals in secondhand smoke appear to affect the brain in ways that interfere with its regulation of infants’ breathing.

Why can’t you share a bed with baby if you smoke?

It is especially important that you do not share a bed with your baby if either parent is a smoker, even if you don’t smoke in the bedroom. It has been shown that the chance of SIDS if bed sharing when you or your partner is a smoker is much greater than if you were both non-smokers.

Why is it bad to co sleep if you smoke?

Co-sleeping (sleeping on the same sleep surface) with an infant greatly increases the risk for SIDS if the mother smokes and if both parents smoke. Several studies have identified that babies exposed to maternal smoking before and after birth do not arouse as readily as babies who were not exposed.

What are the risk factors for cot death?

Create a smoke-free area around your baby. Cigarette smoke is a main ‘risk factor’ for cot death. Do not let anyone smoke in the same room as your baby. Smoking whilst pregnant also increases the risk of your baby having a cot death. The greater the number of cigarettes smoked per day whilst pregnant, the greater the risk.

What do you need to know about co sleepers?

Some allow one side to be lowered, letting you attach it securely to the side of the bed. Others have pockets or storage to help you store diapers, wipes, or other items you might need during sleep periods. Your baby is going to spend a lot of time in his co-sleeper, so the material needs to be breathable.

Is it safe to sleep with baby in cot?

It’s lovely to have your baby with you for a cuddle or a feed, but sleeping with your baby on a sofa or armchair is linked to a higher risk of SIDS. It’s safest to put your baby back in their cot before you go to sleep. Babies exposed to cigarette smoke before and after birth are at an increased risk of SIDS.

How often does a baby die from a cot?

Should you worry about pelvic pain in pregnancy? Cot death is uncommon. About 1 in 3,000 babies die due to cot death in the UK. 216 babies died of cot death in 2015 in the UK. Most cases occur in babies under the age of 6 months. The age range where there is the most risk is 2-4 months.