Babies are at greater risk of sudden death syndrome amid the pandemic, parents are warned.
As Safer Sleep Week gets under way, The Lullaby Trust charity says the risk is higher because of the number of dads who haven't been shown safe sleep practices.
With many of them unable to attend antenatal appointments because of Covid restrictions, it's left a lot of them in the dark over the dos and don'ts of safe sleep.
Yet during lockdown, with more home working and employees on furlough, dads are taking an even more prominent role in childcare.
A survey commissioned by the Trust - a charity that provides expert advice on safer sleep for babies - found that less than a third of dads are being given information on the basic steps they can take to lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
The survey of more than 500 new and expectant dads, found that less than a quarter of dads had been able to attend all antenatal appointments and more than 50% had not been allowed to attend any at all.
The Trust says the results of the survey are 'a concerning indication that lockdown restrictions combined with the increased pressure placed on public health services by Covid-19, means less support and information for new parents, which is putting babies at risk."
Jenny Ward, chief executive of The Lullaby Trust, said: "It is very worrying that dads are not receiving information on how to sleep their baby safely. Most dads play a key role in the care of their baby and we know that during lockdown dads are taking an even more prominent role in childcare.
"Safer sleep advice should be followed consistently for all sleep and nap times so it is very important that both parents know how to reduce the risk of SIDS."
She added: "We are concerned that due to Covid restrictions dads are even less likely to receive this potentially lifesaving information. We sadly know of instances where a baby has died of SIDS, which may have been prevented by both parents being aware of safer sleep guidelines. Only by making all parents aware of how they can reduce the risk of SIDS and supporting them to help protect their babies can we ensure we do not see more lives lost.”
The latest figures released by the ONS in September 2020 showed that SIDS rates went up in 2018 and there are concerns of a further increase during the Covid pandemic.
A parliamentary report released in the summer from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Baby Loss, highlighting the impact of Covid-19 on pregnancy and baby loss, stated that lockdown had exacerbated risk factors for some types of baby loss, such as sudden unexpected death in infancy.
The Lullaby Trust’s annual awareness campaign Safer Sleep Week aims to raise awareness of where dads can access the support and information they need.
Visit the website here for more information about safer sleep.
