Holiday Hangover: Alcohol Linked to SIDS Deaths

The New Year's Day hangover can be deadly for caregivers who have had a night of heavy drinking and awake to find a lifeless baby in the crib. ABC reports.

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ReviewAtlas (USA) - SIDS education focus of new law

Effective Jan. 1, 2011, all hospitals in Illinois will be required to provide free educational materials to parents or guardians of newborns regarding Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and safe sleep.
The materials will include information to help parents understand SIDS and lower their child's risk for it. Hospital staff will be required to review the materials with new parents and discuss ways to reduce the likelihood of SIDS prior to their discharge from the hospital. Read more

EconomicVoice (UK) - BBC sinks to new lows with sensationalist Eastenders cot death storyline

Over the new year the BBC has decided that it is fair and appropriate to show traumatic scenes where Ronnie Branning played by Samantha Womack will swap babies after the cot death of her newborn boy.

Facebook and Mumsnet websites have been ablaze with condemnation for this storyline. A storyline that clearly disregards the feelings of parents who have lost a child to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). These parents, say some of the sites’ commenters, certainly don’t need reminding of their loss over the festive season, especially when the scenes involve what amounts to a tasteless and sensationalist story line. Read more

Scoop (New Zealand) - Māori SIDS, Papakura Marae welcome child health report

Māori SIDS and Papakura Marae welcome the 2010 update to the Children’s Social Health Monitor. The report highlights the needs of NZ Society’s most vulnerable; our children, our babies. The report assesses how New Zealand children are faring in the current economic climate.

Māori SIDS are aware of the impact poverty has on infant and maternal health. “We know that 75% of babies who die from SIDS are exposed to cigarette smoke. We also know that where there is poverty; there is a higher rate of smoking.” says Kodi Hapi, General Manager, Māori SIDS. “Strategies need to be in place to support low-income families provide for their children. Additionally services need to be in place to support expectant mothers quit smoking. A smoke free family is the greatest gift you can give this Christmas, because it could save your baby’s life”. Read more