Working Together with FSID

The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths is the UK's leading baby charity aiming to prevent unexpected deaths in infancy and promote infant health. FSID fulfils these aims by:

  • Funding research
  • Supporting families whose babies have died suddenly and unexpectedly
  • Disseminating information on infant health, baby care and sudden infant deaths to health professionals and the general public
  • Working with professionals to improve investigations when a baby dies

The services offered by FSID include:

  • A Helpline for parents, carers and health professionals and bereaved families
  • A wide range of publications and resources on reducing the risk of cot death and safe baby care
  • A network of trained befrienders to support bereaved families
  • A busy programme of training, events and Family Days Out throughout the UK
  • The Care of Next Infant (CONI) Scheme, with the NHS, to support bereaved families when they have subsequent babies.

FSID operates throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland. As well as the staff team in head office there are also eight Regional Development Officers who actively promote FSID's campaigns across the country.

In May 2007 FSID and MAM launched a partnership to promote FSID’s new advice to reduce the risk of cot death:

“Settling your baby to sleep (day and night) with a dummy can reduce the risk of cot death, even if the dummy falls out while your baby is asleep. * Breastfeed your baby. Establish breastfeeding before starting to use a dummy. "

FSID's advice for parents to reduce the risk of cot death

Cut smoking in pregnancy – fathers too! And don’t let anyone smoke in the same room as your baby.

Place your baby on the back to sleep (and not on the front or side).

Do not let your baby get too hot, and keep your baby’s head uncovered.

Place your baby with their feet to the foot of the cot, to prevent them wriggling down under the covers, or use a baby sleep bag.

Never sleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair.

The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a crib or cot in a room with you for the first six months.

Don’t forget, accidents can happen: you might roll over in your sleep and suffocate your baby; or your baby could get caught between the wall and the bed, or could roll out of an adult bed and be injured.

Settling your baby to sleep (day and night) with a dummy can reduce the risk of cot death, even if the dummy falls out while your baby is asleep.

Breastfeed your baby. Establish breastfeeding before starting to use a dummy.

support FSID’s safe sleep campaign with a leaflet that lists the guidelines regarding soothers. All MAM soother packaging now includes the FSID logo, the soother guidelines as well as other reduce the risk messages. Registered charity: 262191. Helpline: 020 7233 2090.