Important advice has been issued to parents about how to safely keep their young children warm throughout the winter.
This advice includes not wrapping babies in too many layers, or co-sleeping with premature babies who are at a higher risk of cot death. Professor Ian Sinha, a consultant respiratory paediatrician at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, described how clinic staff at his hospital have recently been passing out important advice to first-time parents.
Professor Sinha said: "We’ve had to say ‘look, don’t wrap your baby up in lots of layers’ because we know that that is a risk for cot death, and pre-term infants are already at higher risk.
READ MORE - Seven fruits diabetics need to avoid that can raise risks of blood sugar spikes
“We’ve had to say ‘try not to sleep in bed with your baby’. People are saying ‘well let’s all cuddle together that will keep us warm’ – again, one of the key risk factors for cot deaths.
“So the way that we’re thinking about this winter is very much in terms of the most grave consequences, and we worry that this will either catch up with infants now or in the future.”
The health expert was speaking during a briefing to launch a report on fuel property, which has called for the UK government to prevent a "significant humanitarian crisis with millions of children’s development blighted”.
Professor Sinha said that, in the first instance, the answer to helping families stay warm is to help them have enough money to afford to pay for the heating. Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust has noted that it is important for parents to be aware that some advice they hear "may in fact be harmful for babies".
While wrapping babies up for warmth is important, the Trust advised that too many layers being wrapped tightly could cause the child to overheat, and be unable to breathe properly. Parents should try to prevent draughts wherever possible, and keep children away from mould and damp.
A spokesperson said: "However, in many situations this is made difficult because of, for example, how the accommodation is set out, if there are too many people living there, if there are structural problems with the home, or if parents cannot afford the costs of heating the home.
“The key point is that the best thing for the baby is for the home to be a reasonable temperature – and they shouldn’t have to find workarounds for this to happen, especially if it leads to riskier practices around co-sleeping, or if these things are unfeasible or too expensive.”
According to the NHS, the safest place for a child to sleep for the first six months of their life is in a cot in the same room as the parents, to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The Trust also added that if parents do choose to co-sleep, this can be made safer by making sure the baby lies face up on a firm, flat mattress, not having pillows or duvets near the baby.
It is also safer to not have any other children or pets in the same bed as the baby. It advises that parents seek help from their council, children’s centres and Citizen’s Advice if their home is cold.
The Lullaby Trust also said that babies should be sleeping in a well-fitting baby sleeping bag, ensuring that sheets and blankets are tucked in at the sides. They also state that duvets, quilts or pillows should never be used within the first year of the infants life.
Kate Holmes, head of support and information, said: “We know that the colder months can be difficult for families and we understand it can be tempting to wrap your baby up to keep them warm while they sleep.
“However, we know that overheating increases the chances of SIDS and research shows that it’s better for babies to be cooler rather than too hot.”
For more information on the smartest ways to keep babies warm and safe this winter, visit the NHS website here for further details.
READ MORE
- Mum gobsmacked after neighbour takes photos of her home and posts them on Instagram
- Edinburgh property: Inside the 8 bedroom home on the market for £2.6 million
- Strictly Come Dancing's Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton expecting first baby
- Mum slams neighbour for 'demanding money' from her son after accident
- Edinburgh school nominated for 'Best Public School' in prestigious UK awards
