Red Nose Day: Mother speaks about loss of son Dylan to raise awareness of SIDS

BABY Dylan spent the day with his family at the Ekka. The 15-week-old with a mop of hair smiled at the fireworks and later that night was put to bed by his mum — but he didn’t wake up.

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JENNIFER Yardley knows what killed her baby boy Dylan, she just doesn’t know why.

On the day before he died in 2013, Dylan Nicholls spent the day with his family at the Ekka.

The 15-week-old baby with a mop of hair smiled at the fireworks and later that night was put to bed by his mum.

Tragically he died in his sleep on August 10 that year from SIDS – Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Dylan Nicholls died from SIDS in 2013.

For Red Nose Day, the national awareness day for SIDS, the Logan mother has spoken about that day.

“When I woke up, he had flipped. He was face down and all I could see was his hair and I just knew,” she said.

Since Dylan’s death Ms Yardley has been actively fundraising and raising awareness about the importance of safe sleeping.

“I want to see SIDS disappear. I don’t want my kids to go through it,” she said.

Last year, she created a blog called A Lifetime Without Dylan, which has since become an online support group for other women who have lost children to SIDS.

Dylan’s siblings with their ‘Dylan bear’.

Ms Yardley said the Facebook forum is positive for the women, as it encourages to talk about things they might not in real life.

“A lot of people put on brave faces but they don’t talk about it,” she said.

“I know I keep my outbursts to myself. Now I focus all my energy on making a difference where I can and helping other mothers.”

Last year, a breakthrough South Australian study confirmed a link between a brain chemical called Substance P and babies who died of SIDS.

But there is still a lot not known about the syndrome, which is why research is so important.

For the 40th anniversary of Red Nose Day, Ms Yardley will hold a fundraiser today at Alexander Clark Park in Loganholme.

For details, go to A Life Without Dylan Facebook page.

If you cannot make it, donate online at: rednoseday2018.everydayhero.com

How do you prevent SIDS?

Five safe sleeping guidelines

1. Put baby on the back to sleep from birth

2. Sleep baby with face uncovered

3. Avoid exposing baby to tobacco smoke before and after birth

4. Sleep baby with a safe mattress and in a safe environment

5. Sleep baby in a cot next to the parents’ bed for the first 6-12 months