Safe Sleep Day, organised by Maori SUDI [sudden unexpected death of an infant] prevention organisation Whakawhetu, saw events held in centres around the country yesterday focused on promoting safe sleep practices for babies.
Te Hou Ora Whanau Services manager Terri-Lee Nyman said her organisation offered help and advice to young and prospective mothers.
''Our mokopuna are a taonga and we have options.''
She said cultural baby bassinets, called wakakura, would be available to mothers who needed them.
She hoped to get funding to make more of the flax-weaved bassinets and that they would be passed down through whanau.
Pregnancy Help Dunedin branch manager Chris Ottley said it was best for babies to sleep in their own beds.
''The safest place for babies to sleep is a separate baby bed for the first six months. SUDI [can] affect all babies.''
SUDI cases among Maori make up 60% of New Zealand's SUDI incidents every year.
