Women, family and community development committee chairman Kalsom Noordin said the state government will discuss the matter with the health ministry to avoid a repeat of such incidents.

“We will discuss whether babies should be swaddled. I met a doctor just now who said swaddling was unnecessary.

“It is fine for babies under four months, but not encouraged for those older. Caregivers may be instructed on this matter after this,” Utusan Malaysia reported her as saying at a press conference at the Melaka assembly building today.

Last week, a six-month-old boy died at a childcare centre in Padang Temu, Melaka, believed to be due to suffocation.

The caregiver, who had been rotating duties with another staff member, had discovered the boy lying face-down with his face having turned blue.

On child abuse cases in the state, Kalsom said the number had dropped sharply this year, with only one case recorded as of June, compared with five cases for the same period last year.

“Enforcement action had been taken against 36 unregistered childcare centres as of June, and RM68,000 in fines and compounds issued,” she said.