A two-year-old boy from Scotland died suddenly in his sleep, leaving his family devastated and heartbroken. The toddler, who was healthy and happy, had no signs of illness or distress before he went to bed on February 23, 2023.
A tragic loss
The boy’s parents, who live in Glasgow, found him unresponsive in his cot the next morning. They called an ambulance, but paramedics could not revive him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The boy’s mother, who did not want to be named, said: “He was our world, our everything. He was always smiling and laughing, he loved playing with his toys and his big sister. He was the most perfect little boy, we can’t believe he’s gone.”
The family are still waiting for the results of a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death. They said they have no idea what could have happened to their son, who had no medical conditions or allergies.
“He was fine the night before, he had his dinner and his bath, he watched his favourite show and gave us all a kiss and a cuddle. He went to sleep as normal, there was nothing wrong with him. We don’t understand how this could happen, it’s just so unfair,” the boy’s father said.
A rare occurrence
According to the NHS, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), also known as cot death, is the sudden and unexplained death of a baby or young child. It is rare, affecting around one in every 2,500 babies in the UK.
The exact causes of SIDS are not known, but some factors that may increase the risk include:
- Sleeping on the stomach or side
- Being exposed to tobacco smoke
- Having a low birth weight or being born prematurely
- Overheating or being too cold
- Sleeping in the same bed as the parents
- Having soft bedding or toys in the cot
The NHS advises parents to follow the safer sleep advice to reduce the risk of SIDS. This includes:
- Placing the baby on their back to sleep
- Keeping the baby in the same room as the parents for the first six months
- Using a firm, flat and waterproof mattress
- Keeping the baby’s head uncovered and avoiding pillows, duvets and cot bumpers
- Avoiding smoking, drinking or taking drugs during pregnancy and after birth
- Breastfeeding the baby if possible
- Not letting the baby get too hot or cold
A support network
The boy’s family said they are grateful for the support they have received from their friends, relatives and neighbours. They also thanked the paramedics, police and hospital staff who tried to help their son.
They said they are planning to hold a funeral for their son as soon as possible, and to honour his memory by raising money for a charity that supports bereaved families.
“We want to give him the best send-off we can, and to do something positive in his name. He was such a special boy, he touched so many lives. We will always love him and miss him,” the boy’s mother said.
The family have set up a fundraising page on JustGiving, where they have already raised over £5,000 for the Lullaby Trust, a charity that provides support and advice for families affected by SIDS. The charity also funds research into the causes and prevention of SIDS, and campaigns for safer sleep awareness.
Anyone who wishes to donate or leave a message of condolence can visit the page here.
