Dangerous baby-sleep advice given to parents by self-described experts, secret filming reveals

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Dangerous baby-sleep advice given to parents by self-described experts, secret filming reveals 14 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Divya Talwar , Marthe de Ferrer and Amy Johnston , News Investigations Undercover filming reveals baby sleep advice given by Alison Scott-Wright Some self-described infant sleep experts are giving advice that could put babies at risk of serious harm and even death, medical professionals have told a investigation. We secretly filmed one of them advising our reporter to put a newborn to sleep on its front, a practice proven to significantly increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (Sids). The NHS advises to "always place your baby on their back to sleep" in their own sleep space, like a cot, for the first 12 months to reduce the risk of Sids.

The mattress should be firm, flat and waterproof. A second self-defined expert recommended placing towels in the infant's cot - a practice The Lullaby Trust, a baby safety charity, says also increases the risk of Sids and "accidental death". Medical professionals who watched our undercover footage said moments had left them feeling "sick" and "horrified".

The Details

Infant-sleep consulting is a growing unregulated industry, they say, fuelled by limited post-natal support for new parents . And while they acknowledge many individuals provide valuable and safe sleep advice, they warn there is also a "dark side". Baby "sleep experts" are popular on social media and members of our investigation team have also had first-hand experience of the sector.

Dozens of parents have raised concerns with the . Many of them flagged two women who they had paid for "consulting" advice - Alison Scott-Wright and Lisa Clegg. Both have large Instagram followings, celebrity endorsements and published books.

Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Contact Divya and the team at: ParentingInvestigation@. uk The advice given by Scott-Wright in one consultation was "really cruel", one new mother told us.

What Experts Say

Another who spoke to Clegg about her two infants, born several years apart, said she regretted having put her "young babies in danger" by following advice to place multiple muslins and other loose items in their cots. Scott-Wright told the her support and advice had "helped a multitude of babies, children, parents and families". She said she took "infant safety and the well-being of families extremely seriously".

Clegg said she had "successfully advised thousands of parents" on sleep and routines and none of the advice has ever been "dangerous or put babies at risk". We sent a reporter undercover, booking online consultations with both women while posing as the mother of a nine-week-old newborn, whose baby was waking frequently at night. This age is within the one-to-six-month range where most cases of Sids occur.

Previously known as cot death, Sids is the sudden and unexplained death during sleep of an otherwise healthy baby aged up to 12 months.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.