Survey Confirms Fears On Cot Death

A MORI poll on cot death has revealed an alarming lack of awareness of the measures which should be taken to help prevent cot death.

The survey found that just one in five of the 2,132 adults questioned are aware that putting the baby in the widely recommended 'feet to foot' position (that is ensuring the baby's feet are at the base of the cot) is a key measure in helping to prevent cot death. Similarly, only a third of the respondents recognised the importance of placing the baby on its back in the cot. These measures had a huge effect in bringing down the cot death rate during Anne Diamond's much publicised campaign following the death of her son Sebastian in 1991.

TV personality and prominent cot death campaigner Anne Diamond has reacted with concern to today's results. Anne launched the Back to Sleep campaign when 2,000 babies a year were dying of cot death. That figure has now fallen to under 400. However, ten years on Anne points out that awareness has dropped off significantly, which is reflected in the survey results.

Anne says, "These disturbing results show that the majority of people do not realise what specific steps should be taken to help prevent cot death."

The survey shows that 60% of people are unaware that at least one baby dies every day in the UK from cot death. It remains the most common cause of death in infants aged between one month and one year in the UK -- responsible for more deaths than meningitis or leukaemia. *

Anne continues, "Babies are born every day, so we need to keep pushing the messages to each generation of new parents. Only by a sustained awareness of the issue, and the development of innovative preventions can we hope to reduce the rates still further."

* This information is taken from the Foundation for Sudden Infant Death (FSID) website (www.sids.org.uk)

Technical details

The survey was conducted by face-to-face interviews with 2,132 people in their homes between 18 and 22 January 2002

Petersen Partnership -- Cot Death Topline Results

• 2,132 adults aged 16+
• Interviewed face-to-face in-home
• Between 18-22 January 2002
• 150 sample points throughout Great Britain
• An asterisk (*) indicates a percentage of less than 0.5% but greater than zero
• Data have been weighted to reflect the national profile
• Base all, unless otherwise stated

Q1 Which, if any, of the following measures do you think should be taken to help prevent cot death?

Q2 Before today, did you know that at least one baby dies every day from cot death in the UK?