management
Last reviewed 08/2023
- call the ambulance before setting out
- assist with CPR during transfer to hospital or, if the baby clearly died some hours ago, contact the coroner
- give the family immediate support
- make sure there is time for both parents and other family members to be with their baby
- the family should be able to take photographs. Someone should get a picture (& hospitals usually have a suitable camera) but will be easily upset by any intrusion.
- inform all members of relevant primary care and hospital teams to ensure support and follow-up with thoughtfulness
- avoid discussion of risk factors as this is likely to engender guilt feelings: 'the cause of SIDS is unknown'
- any doctor who has had prior contact with the baby is likely to be blamed and be the butt of anger