Dangerous baby-sleep advice given to parents by self-described experts, secret filming reveals
Summary
Some people who call themselves baby sleep experts are giving advice that could harm babies, including suggesting unsafe ways for babies to sleep. A BBC investigation secretly recorded such advice, which goes against official health guidelines meant to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The government plans to regulate who can call themselves a nurse to help stop unsafe advice.Key Facts
- Secret filming showed an expert advising to put a newborn baby to sleep on their front, which increases the risk of SIDS.
- The NHS says babies should always sleep on their backs in their own safe sleep space for the first year.
- Another expert recommended putting towels in a baby's cot, which also raises the risk of SIDS and accidental death.
- The infant sleep advice industry is unregulated, so anyone can call themselves a sleep expert or maternity nurse.
- Many parents reported concerns and regrets after following advice from two popular self-described experts, Alison Scott-Wright and Lisa Clegg.
- In 2022, there were 215 unexplained deaths of children under one year old in the UK, many linked to sleep issues.
- The UK government plans to restrict use of the term "nurse" to only those legally qualified, aiming to protect babies from dangerous misinformation.
- The case of a baby who died after being put to sleep in an unsafe position by someone calling themselves a maternity nurse helped prompt government action.
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