Health chiefs are launching a new campaign to prevent sudden baby deaths.

Over the past two years, there have been 14 infant deaths across Solihull, Warwickshire and Coventry and the move aims to cut that figure.

The Sleep Safe campaign is being launched by Solihull Local Safeguarding Children Board today and will highlight the dangers of rolling over on to a baby if a parent sleeps with a tot in bed or on a sofa.

The high infant mortality rate in the West Midlands was one of the key issues raised in a health profile report on the region by the Department of Health.

The rate in Solihull is around the national rate of 4.8 per 1,000 live births in 2009.

While neighbouring Birmingham, which has the worst rates in the country, as high as 9.2 deaths per 1,000 in the north and east of the city, is seeing an in-depth report and action plan on infant mortality go to the city council’s health scrutiny committee in coming months.

New mothers in Solihull will be given tips to keep babies safe while health visitors will also give out special packs to all new mothers, which include vital information and a thermometer.

Jeanette Satterthwaite, Solihull NHS Care Trust’s clinical leader for health visiting, said: “Sudden infant death is a very rare event but we want to make sure every parent is aware of the risks.

“When parents receive their Sleep Safe bags, the health visitor will discuss how best to keep their baby safe while sleeping and answer any questions.”

Solihull NHS Care Trust and Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, have worked together on the campaign to reduce that figure. It can be impossible to determine the exact cause of unexpected death in the under twos but there are some ways of reducing the risk.