Cot death study looks at twins

The babies will be linked to monitoring machines

Twins are to be studied as part of an investigation which could help increase understanding of cot death.

Scientists are researching the sleep patterns of twin babies to try and discover whether it is safe for them to be put to bed together.

Twins have a 49% greater chance of suffering cot death than single babies but experts have no idea why.

The exercise, being carried out by the University of Durham, could confirm or demolish the widely-held medical belief that parents should separate twins at bedtime.

I would hate to think, in 10 years time, we still didn't know the best way to sleep twins

Gemma Lawrence, mother of twins

Factors associated with cot death, such as high temperature and restricted breathing, will be the focus of the study at the university's sleep laboratory, based in Stockton, Teesside.

Parents taking part in the project will keep sleep logs for three months to record sleep patterns before booking into the sleep lab.

Once there, researchers will compare how twins sleep together and separately.

The babies will be linked to heart monitors and breathing and temperature will be recorded while infra-red cameras film their movements.

Twins are more likely to suffer cot death

Dr Elaine Hooker, part of the research team, said: "At the moment there are no definite guidelines for parents of twins.

"A lot of doctors advise parents to sleep them separately but sometimes they sleep much better together."

Gemma Lawrence from Billingham, Teesside, mother of twins Millie and Joseph, signed up for the research when she was still pregnant.

She said: "Parents need to know what is the best thing to do. I would hate to think, in 10 years time, we still didn't know the best way to sleep twins."

The Foundation for the Study of Infant Death has funded the research.