DD was monitored by a consultant paediatrician until she was a year old, we had weekly hv visits too, and she was weighed every day at home, on clinic scales provided under the Care of Next Infant Plus programme. She also had a hospital grade heart rate, breathing and oxygen saturation monitor that she was wired up to every time she slept. Every month the consultant downloaded DDs sleep records, which, despite all the precautions, did include some apnoea episodes. I also had to fill in a detailed daily diary about sleep, feeds, nappies, vomiting, development etc.
The purpose of this wasn't just to try to limit risk for dd, but also to provide evidence for the research. Everything we did was checked, monitored, recorded and submitted to The Lullaby Trust, to be analysed to inform the guidelines. Had the worst happened it would have been used for the same thing.
Thousands of families have undertaken months of monitoring, analysis and recording to produce guidelines specifically designed to mitigate the risk of SIDS for others. Those who took part in the research after their babies died have to answer the most awful questions, albeit sensitively phrased.
The guidelines are there for a reason. Other families have gone through hell and had it questioned and analysed to help keep other babies safe. There are people and babies behind every single recommendation.
We were advised not to swaddle as babies can overheat more easily, which increases the risk, , to keep the room at 18 and use sleeping bags. We were also told not to Co sleep at all before two years. Little beggar made it in here at 2.5, got a little too comfy and is currently kicking me in the back. Oh how I now wish I hadn't capitulated on that first night 
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