BACK TO SLEEP - THE POSITION IN OXFORDSHIRE AND NORTHAMPTON

We examined hospital and domestic infant care practices in Oxfordshire and Northampton Health Districts to measure changes in prevalence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) risk factors, and to evaluate a sp ecific educational intervention restricted to Oxfordshire. We sent a p ostal questionnaire to 2781 parents of babies newly born in January 19 92, July 1992 and January 1993 and achieved an 88% response rate. Over all, in hospital a relatively constant proportion (81%) slept on their sides and few prone, whereas at home 52% (but increasing) slept supin e and 8% prone part or all of the time. Significant differences existe d by district, both in hospital and at home, with more sleeping supine in Oxfordshire and more side-sleeping/propping in Northampton. First- time parents were more receptive to safety guidelines about sleeping p osition and several other risk factors also. We detected no modifying effect of the Oxfordshire advice. Professional practice can influence parental behaviour but general media coverage may produce the biggest effects.