Outcomes are reported from a postal questionnaire sent out in August 2013 to 400 randomly selected mothers of infants aged between 6 weeks and 4 months who had been delivered at Auckland National Women’s Health. The survey sought to determine mothers’ knowledge of, and practices related to, risk factors for sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) and to compare results with a similar survey conducted in 2005. Questions asked about sleep position, bed sharing, room sharing, smoking, and breastfeeding. Completed questionnaires were obtained from 172 (43%) women. As in the 2005 survey, European mothers were more likely to respond than Maori, Pacific, and Other mothers. Other ethnicities comprised predominantly Asian ethnicities. Compared with 2005, more women in this survey cited avoiding bed sharing, keeping the face clear, avoiding soft bedding, and room sharing as SUDI prevention factors. Compared with 2005, significantly more mothers in this survey cited advice to avoid bed sharing, keep the face clear, use a firm sleep surface, avoid soft bedding, and sleep in the same room as the parent. Fewer mothers reported smoking during pregnancy or around baby (69% vs 73% in 2005) and fewer infants usually shared a bed for some or all of the night (8% vs 15% in 2005). Of the five main protective factors promoted by New Zealand’s Ministry of Health (supine sleep, own bed, room sharing, smoke free, breastfeeding), 43% were implementing all of these practices. Those who did so were significantly more likely to be mothers of firstborn infants (p=0.01).
