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Northern Ireland Health, Social Services and Public Safety has updated its leaflet aimed at reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
The leaflet contains simple steps to follow to reduce the risk of cot death, and will be provided to all first-time mothers.
Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell said: “The unexpected death of a baby is a tragedy, but we know that since parents and carers have been following the risk reduction advice, the number of cot deaths has fallen by over 70%.
“Most people are aware that you should always place your baby on its back to sleep. Also, falling asleep with your baby in bed, or on a chair or sofa, increases the risk of cot death, so babies should always be put back in their cot before you go to sleep.
“The revised leaflet also contains new advice in relation to breastfeeding and use of dummies to reduce the risk of cot death.”
Joyce Epstein, Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) Director, said: “We warmly welcome the Department’s new leaflet. The leaflet gives important new information to parents on safe infant care, and reinforces existing guidelines which parents should continue to follow.”
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