CHARITY bosses say we are failing to protect babies from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) after new figures showed an increase in ‘cot deaths’ in the North-East.

The latest figures released for England and Wales by The Office of National Statistics showed 221 babies died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), also known as cot death, in 2012, while the rate of SIDS only dropped from 0.34 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2011 to 0.30 in 2012.

In the North-East the rate of unexplained infant deaths actually went up between 2011 - when it was 0.36 per 1,000 live births – to 0.40 in 2012. The number of baby deaths also went up from 11 to 12. These figures make the North-East the second worst region in England, just behind the North-West.

The Lullaby Trust’s Chief Executive, Francine Bates, said: “We have one of the highest infant mortality rates in Western Europe which is staggering when we know of measures that can reduce the risk of SIDS and save lives. We are failing hundreds of babies every year and more must be done to make infant survival a priority.

“In other countries like Holland where SIDS is very low, they apply a concerted strategy to reducing infant deaths and their health professionals consistently give the safer sleep advice to families. We worry that complacency is setting in and call on Public Health England and Public Health Wales to work with local authorities to reduce SIDS.

“Since 1989 SIDS has reduced by 70 per cent so we know we can save lives by advising parents on the safer sleep basics such as placing a baby on its back to sleep, temperature control and keeping a baby smoke free during pregnancy and after birth. “