Too Many Babies are Dying from SUDI

Another tragic baby death highlights the importance of protecting babies from Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI). Every year between 50-70 babies die from SUDI. In most cases, death may have been prevented if families were strongly supported to protect their babies from SUDI. The NZ Herald recently reported on the death of a Gisborne baby in February 2009. Coroner Devonport’s findings were that the mother had been drinking an excessive amount of alcohol and that sleeping in the same bed as her one month old contributed to the death of this precious baby. More »

Breastfeeding Lullaby A Hit With The Kids

Kids around the country will be humming away to a new lullaby on breastfeeding released by Whakawhetu to coincide with World Breastfeeding Week 1-7 August. The special lullaby draws attention to the role breastfeeding (alongside other things such as sleeping baby flat on their back and smoke free environments) plays in protecting baby from the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy, or SUDI. More »

World Smokefree Day: Support Smokefree Environments for Babies

Whakawhetu will be marking World Smokefree Day this Tuesday 31st May by highlighting how important smoke-free environments are for the health of New Zealand babies. Smoking is the single leading cause of preventable death in NZ with 5000 New Zealanders dying from smoking related illnesses each year. More »

Unveiling Whakawhetu: mobilising action to protect our mokopuna

On Wednesday 6th April, more than one hundred community workers, whānau, researchers, and health professionals joined us to launch our new brand Whakawhetu, National SIDS Prevention for Māori at Papakura Marae. The origin of the new name, Whakawhetu, dates back to ancient karakia and refers to the unborn child taking form within the wharetangata (mother’s womb). More »

Safe Sleeping for Newborn Babies

A recent article in the NZ Herald noted that parents are receiving conflicting messages about sleeping with newborn babies. Māori SIDS, TAHA (Well Pacific Mother and Child Service) and Change for Our Children feel it important that parents and whānau are clear about safe sleeping messages to reduce the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) and the risk of suffocation. More »

Children's Social Health Monitor report welcomed

Māori SIDS and Papakura Marae welcome the 2010 update to the Children’s Social Health Monitor. The report highlights the needs of NZ Society’s most vulnerable; our children, our babies. The report assesses how New Zealand children are faring in the current economic climate. Fifty-eight per cent of families on a benefit live in severe or significant hardship. The report goes on to show that children exposed to low family income in the early years, experience poor health, including hospital admissions and mortality. Māori and Pacific children consistently fare far worse than other ethnicities. Māori SIDS are aware of the impact poverty has on infant and maternal health. “We know that 75% of babies who die from SIDS are exposed to cigarette smoke. We also know that where there is poverty; there is a higher rate of smoking.” says Kodi Hapi, General Manager, Māori SIDS. “Strategies need to be in place to support low-income families provide for their children. Additionally services need to be in place to support expectant mothers quit smoking. A smoke free family is the greatest gift you can give this Christmas, because it could save your baby’s life”. More »

Tobacco inquiry report reiterates need for concerted effort to support pregnant Māori women to quit smoking

Māori SIDS applauds the Māori Affairs Select Committee report findings. The report strongly encourages targeted campaigns to reduce smoking amongst the 65,000 Māori women of child bearing age who are currently smoking. More »

Māori SIDS Prevention Service working to reduce further loss of babies

Māori SIDS National Prevention Service will be commemorating International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day on Friday 15th October by working hard to reduce further loss of babies from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Kodi Hapi, General Manager of Māori SIDS National Prevention Service More »

Conference told that there are not enough services for Maori children

There are not enough health and social services that focus specifically on Maori children and young people, two Maori health leaders told the Public Health Association’s annual conference in Ngaruawahia on 24th September 2010. More »

General Manager Announcement

The Māori SIDS Taumata and Auckland Uniservices are pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Kodi Hapi to the position of Kaihautu General Manager. Kodi brings a wealth of experience in Māori Development and has worked at all levels within the Public Health Sector. More »

The Role of the SUDI Referral Advisor

As the SUDI Advisor I am made aware of SUDI deaths very soon after they occur. My role is to liaise between the parents/whanau of a SUDI loss and relevant agencies such as the police, Coroner, pathologist and public More »

Media Release: Enormous future can be saved by reducing smoking

Māori SIDs supports Dr Jeffrey Wigand, the former head of research at tobacco company Brown & Williamson, a subsidiary of British American Tobacco More »

Mokopuna Ora and Māori SIDS

Among Māori women there is a high prevalence of smoking, and smoking during pregnancy. More »

Māori SIDS confronts tobacco industry giant

Māori SIDS presented 60 pairs of babies booties to the parliamentary tobacco inquiry, a challenging and stark representation of innocent babies who die of SIDS per year, with two thirds being Māori. More »