Each year in Aotearoa, around 50 pēpi die from Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) - and most of these deaths can be prevented. Māori babies are the most affected, followed by Pacific babies, with rates much higher than for non-Māori.
SUDI is when a baby under one year dies suddenly and unexpectedly during sleep, often without warning. Sometimes a cause is found after investigation, but sometimes there isn’t one. For whānau, it is one of the most heartbreaking losses imaginable.
What increases risk for SUDI
- Smoking in pregnancy
- Bedsharing with pēpi if māmā smoked in pregnancy
- Unsafe sleep spaces
- Alcohol or drug use around pēpi
- Premature pēpi (born early) or very small (under 2500 g)
Research shows:
- Smoking in pregnancy = 6x increased risk of SUDI
- Smoking in pregnancy + bedsharing = 32x increased risk of SUDI
What the research tells us?
Since the 1980s, SUDI deaths in Aotearoa have dropped from around 250 per year to about 50 per year. This reduction is linked to safer sleep messaging (eg: pēpi on their back, smokefree pregnancy).
But preventable deaths still occur - especially when smoking in pregnancy and unsafe bedsharing combine. Whānau-centred and culturally grounded approaches are key to further reducing SUDI.
Our aim is to make safe sleep knowledge easy to understand and apply at home, so every pēpi has the strongest foundation for life.
Common terms
SUDI – An umbrella term for unexpected infant deaths in the first year. It includes both explained and unexplained cases.
SIDS – Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. An unexplained infant death after full investigation including autopsy and scene review.
Bedsharing – When pēpi shares a sleep surface with another person (intentionally or unintentionally).
Safe sleep environment – Pēpi sleeps on their own firm, flat surface with firm sides, made for babies (wahakura, pēpi-pod, bassinet, cot). Not couches, chairs, pillows, or folded duvets.
References
- Mitchell EA, Thompson J, Zuccollo J, MacFarlane M, Taylor B, Elder D, Stewart A, Percival T, Baker N, McDonald G, Lawton B, Schlaud M, Fleming P. The combination of bedsharing and maternal smoking leads to a greatly increased risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy: The NZ SUDI Nationwide Case Control Study. NZ Med J. 2017.
- Mitchell EA, Scragg R, Stewart AW, Becroft DMO, Taylor BJ, Ford RPK, Hassall IB, Barry DMJ, Allen EM, Roberts AP. Results from the first year of the New Zealand Cot Death Study. NZ Med J. 1991; 104: 71–76.
- Tipene-Leach D, Abel S. The wahakura and the safe sleeping environment. J Prim Health Care. 2010; 2(1): 81–88.