SIDS-protective infant care practices among Auckland, New Zealand mothers

To survey the knowledge and implementation of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)-protective infant care practices in mothers of infants aged less than 4 months.

A postal survey was carried out of knowledge of SIDS risk factors and infant care practices of 200 mothers with infants aged 6-8 weeks and 3-4 months.

Mothers who could cite supine sleeping as protective comprised 84%, while 73% knew that smoking was a risk factor. Fewer knew that room sharing, keeping the face clear of bedding, and avoiding bed sharing and overheating are also protective. Fifty-four percent of the infants usually room-share with a parent, while 39% both room-share and sleep in their own bed. Sixteen percent usually co-slept for part or all of the night. Nearly one-third used pacifiers. Mothers who smoked during pregnancy comprised 8%, while 7% had smoked in the last 24 hours. Most infants (97%) had been breastfed at some time.

Maternal education of the benefits of supine sleeping, not smoking, and breastfeeding appear well understood by these mothers. However, more education is needed about other SIDS-protective behaviours such as keeping the face clear and sleeping the infant in their own bed in the parents' room.