Health and care organisations across County Durham and Darlington have joined forces to launch a new Safer Sleep Saves Lives campaign aimed at reducing the risk of Sudden Unexplained Death in Infancy (SUDI), formerly known as cot death. The initiative brings consistent, evidence-based advice to parents and carers and uses locally filmed materials to show practical actions families can take at home.
Local reviews prompted the campaign
Officials say the campaign responds to local reviews of infant deaths and serious incidents where unsafe sleeping practices were identified as contributing factors. While many families already follow safer sleep guidance, partners highlighted a number of preventable risks that continue to put babies at risk, including sleeping on sofas or armchairs with an infant, parental smoking, alcohol use and overheating.
At the heart of the launch is a short video recorded in a real home with local families and babies, designed to demonstrate simple, practical steps parents and carers can adopt. The video will be shared across health services in the area, alongside leaflets and other supportive resources so that parents receive the same messages regardless of which professional they consult.
"Every family deserves access to clear, consistent and evidence-based advice to help keep their baby safe,"
said Laura Hamilton, Matron for Public Health and Inequalities at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. She added that the video and accompanying materials are intended to give families confidence to make informed choices and to encourage conversations about safer sleep with midwives, health visitors, GPs and practice nurses.
Practical messages for families
The campaign emphasises easily understood actions to reduce risk. Key points promoted by partners include:
- Always place babies on their back for sleep in a clear, flat sleeping space.
- Avoid sharing a sofa or armchair with an infant, particularly after drinking alcohol or when very tired.
- Keep the baby smoke-free during pregnancy and after birth.
- Prevent overheating by dressing babies appropriately for the room temperature and avoiding heavy bedding.
The resources are intended for distribution across maternity, health visiting and GP services so that consistent advice is provided at every contact with families.
| Risk identified | Recommended action |
|---|---|
| Sofa or armchair sleeping | Use a separate cot or Moses basket on a flat surface for all sleep times. |
| Smoking and passive smoke | Quit smoking and avoid exposing baby to smoke in the home and car. |
| Overheating | Dress baby in light layers and maintain a comfortable room temperature. |
Health professionals involved in the campaign have worked with parents locally to ensure the guidance is realistic and easy to use in everyday life. The emphasis on consistency means that whether families speak to a midwife, health visitor or GP, they should receive the same core messages.
Parents and carers with questions about safer sleep are encouraged to speak to their usual clinical contacts — midwives, health visitors or GPs — who can provide tailored advice. The campaign materials will be made available across services and online in the coming weeks.
For families in Darlington, the initiative aims to translate national evidence into locally relevant advice and, organisers hope, to reduce avoidable infant deaths by promoting simple, consistent practices in the home.
