Abstract â–¡ 135

In response to carers asking for support and information following the sudden and unexpected death of a baby in their care the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths has organised a series of one day conferences titled "Holding the Baby". Nursery nurses, childminders, nannies, foster cares, tutors and managers have formed the total of 750 delegates attending five conferences in England. The programme has included the personal experiences of cares who have experienced the death of a baby in their care and from parents whose baby has died with a carer.

The presentation will look at the emotions and experiences of five carers who were personally involved when a baby died suddenly and unexpectedly. It will also discuss the outcome for the carers personally involved. Key aspects are whether the carer was permitted to be part of the grieving with the family, to learn of the post mortem examination results, attend the funeral and whether there was contact after the time of the baby's death. The way the carer worked through their own emotions, who they turned to for support and subsequent events will also be explored.