Section 1 : What do we know about safe sleeping?

How do babies die?

Oxygen travels through airways and blood vessels. If, for any reason, oxygen does not get ‘through the tubes’ the baby will die. Babies have a natural drive to breathe called arousal response. This fails for SUDI babies.

Survival means oxygen always gets ‘through the tubes’.*

Breathing may stop due to:

  • Things that weaken arousal
    • Smoking in pregnancy, being premature, low birth weight, bottle fed or unwell
  • Hazards in the place of sleep that lead to a blocked airway
    • Pillows, unsafe positioning on the tummy, people in the bed, loose covers, soft bedding, the influence of alcohol, drugs and partying
  • A mix of these
*Tonkin S, Gunn T, Vennet L, Vogel S, Gunn A. A review of the anatomy of the upper airway in early infancy and its possible relevance to SIDS. Early Human Development. 2002; 66; p.107-121
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