Fewer Kiwi infants are dying inexplicably in their first year of life, new data shows.
According to the Ministry of Health, the number of Sudden infant death syndrome (Sids) deaths dropped annually from 56 in 2007 to just 18 in 2012. As the deaths were investigated through the coronial process, 2012 is the most recent year the data is available.
Sids - also known as Sudden Unexpected Death of an Infant (Sudi) and cot death - is the sudden unexplained death of a child less than one year of age. To be considered Sids, the death must remain unexplained after a thorough autopsy and detailed death scene investigation.
Sids usually occurs during sleep with no evidence of struggle or noise from the infant. The exact cause of Sids remains unknown.
However, associated risk factors include bed sharing, prematurity (less than 36 weeks gestation), low birth weight (less than 2.5kg), tummy sleeping, sleeping on or near pillows, sleeping in car seats and slings, and smoking during and after pregnancy.
SIDS and Kids New Zealand chief executive Margaret Free believed parents were becoming more aware of such risks.
"We get about three or four calls a day, at least, from parents who want to know about what they can do to prevent Sids," she said.
"There's also been a real push of our safe sleeping programme. We give out pamphlets in hospitals, and we're about to release new pamphlets in motels for itinerant travellers."
Parents needed to be aware of babies overheating in winter, however, she said.
"Parents think the baby's cold and put on too many layers. The main thing there is to dress your baby the same as you dress yourself when you go to bed.
"The room temperature should be about 21 degrees, and don't put them on piles of blankets."
Most regions also had drops in the number of Sids deaths - but some midwives say there's still more to be learned.
Wanganui midwife Jemma Roy said mothers needed to be wary of falling asleep when feeding.
"In winter, lots of mums don't want to get out of bed, but some times, unfortunately, mothers will fall asleep," she said.
"We help them be a little bit more self-aware and inform partners and husbands how they can assist."
Cultural factors were also an issue sometimes, she said.
"Pacific Island culture is that you co-sleep with your babies the whole time.
"In Indian culture, you use a lot of pillows, which looks really comfy but isn't safe.
"Some parents adjust to New Zealand recommendations, others don't... We can't enforce it, we can only inform."
Pepi pods had been helpful, however. A pepi pod is a plastic box with a mattress, and cover and bedding package, including a top sheet which wrapped the baby securely to keep them on their back while sleeping. They are designed for babies aged zero to six months.
Ways to reduce chance of Sids
1. Sleep baby on the back from birth, not on the tummy or side.
2. Sleep baby with head and face uncovered.
3. Keep baby in a smokefree environment before birth and after.
4. Provide a safe sleeping environment night and day.
5. Sleep baby in their own safe sleeping place in the same room as an adult caregiver for the first six to 12 months.
6. Breastfeed baby.
- Source: SIDS and Kids New Zealand
For support, call SIDS and Kids 24 hour helpline on 0800-164-455