Baby Safety 101: Preventing Accidental Suffocation

Today’s topic is a sad and difficult issue to talk about, but because infant deaths related to suffocation continue to happen, I think it’s important that we discuss why it happens and what can be done to protect against it. 

Infant death related to accidental suffocation or strangulation in bed appears to be on the rise. In 1992, pediatric health organizations recommended that infants be placed on their back to sleep and this reduced the occurrence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) dramatically. However, at the same time, sleep-related suffocation, asphyxia, entrapment, and other unspecified causes of infant death have risen. 

Focusing on safe sleep environments that reduce the risk of all types of sleep-related infant deaths, including SIDS, may keep your baby safe. 

Transcript

Hello and welcome to another episode of Proactive Parenting. Remember, this is a judgement-free space to learn how to raise value-driven kids in a way that is right for your family, using the most current scientific research out there. 

I’m your host, Dr. Deanna Marie Mason. I’m a certified pediatric nurse practitioner, published author, and a professional who has devoted my career to studying and using child development to help parents manage childhood issues. 

So, grab a cup of coffee or tea and settle in to learn something new about your child because when we know better, we do better. 

Today’s topic is a sad and difficult issue to talk about, but because infant deaths related to suffocation continue to happen, I think it’s important that we discuss why it happens and what can be done to protect against it. 

Infant death related to accidental suffocation or strangulation in bed appears to be on the rise. In 1992, pediatric health organizations recommended that infants be placed on their back to sleep and this reduced the occurrence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) dramatically. However, at the same time, sleep-related suffocation, asphyxia, entrapment, and other unspecified causes of infant death have risen. 

Focusing on safe sleep environments that reduce the risk of all types of sleep-related infant deaths, including SIDS, may keep your baby safe. 

There is a lot of discussion about the shared, family bed. Parents who are most likely to share a bed with an infant are mothers who breastfeed, parents who have a colicky baby, families with a tradition of a shared bed, or parents who desire more or better sleep. Other reasons for sharing a family bed with an infant include monitoring the baby, bonding and attachment, environmental issues, disagreeing with the potential dangers of co-sleeping, and maternal instinct. While we don’t have time today to address each of these reasons, it is demonstrated in the scientific literature that co-sleeping does increase the risk of suffocation. 

I don’t think it’s helpful to list the recent occurrences where babies have died because the loss is tragic when this happens. Instead, I would like to focus on the circumstances that increase the risk of suffocation and SIDS to help you protect your baby. 

There are 3 major issues that increase the risk of SIDS and/or accidental suffocation from co-sleeping and bed sharing that parents should be aware of. If you identify with any of these three issues, it may be a good idea to not to share a family bed with your baby. 

The first big risk factor is if mom smoked during pregnancy or your baby is exposed to smoke at home. We know that exposure to smoke, whether tobacco or marijuana, increases a baby’s risk of SIDS. 

The second risk factor is if mom didn’t get full or appropriate pre-natal care. We know that some of those mothers may have an underlying health concern or issue that was not fully treated during pregnancy, and that may negatively affect the baby’s development. 

And the third, and most common, risk is if either parent takes anything that may alter their sleep. This includes sleeping pills, alcohol, pain medication, recreational drugs, or any prescription medication that reduces awareness, like benzodiazepines such as Valium, Xanax, Ativan or Rivotril. Any of these substances can create a deep sleep state that impairs a parent from noticing the baby in their bed. 

Now, please understand that this doesn’t mean that parents have to put their newborn babies in a separate room, down the hall instead of sharing a family bed. Rather, it’s recommended that during the first 2 months of life, it’s best that your baby stays close to you to receive night care efficiently, to be comforted when needed, and to hear and smell that mom is close by. All of these things support positive for bonding and stress reduction. 

So the question you may have is, “how do I do this if I’m not co-sleeping it’s my baby?” The answer to provide the combination of a safe sleep environment with prompt, loving care to your infant at night is achieved by having the baby sleep in the same room, but on a different surface. You could choose a bassinet or a roll-in crib. There are also these bassinets that have a drop down side and connect to the parent’s bed that allows mom to pull baby near to breastfeed, but then place baby back into the bassinet without having to get up from bed. This is a wonderful option for moms who had cesarean, or C-section, deliveries. Either option is a great solution to have baby close by, but at a safe distance to prevent accidental suffocation. 

Major pediatric health organizations, like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the European Paediatric Association, have created a simple code of “ABC” to help parents remember what is best and safest for their baby: A - Alone on my B - Back in a C - Crib. Alone on my Back in a Crib. This is the best way to reduce the risk of SIDS and accidental suffocation. 

To understand what Alone on my Back in a Crib means, follow these recommendations to provide your baby with the safest sleep environment to avoid SIDS and accidental suffocation during night time sleep or nap time: 

First, use a firm, flat sleep surface, such as a mattress in a safety-approved crib.
Second, babies should sleep in-room, but not in the parents’ bed, on a couch, or chair alone.
Third, keep baby’s sleep area free of loose bedding, such as blankets or comforters, don’t use pillows or other soft objects, such as stuffed toys.
And fourth, avoid smoking during pregnancy and around the baby after he or she is born, at home or in the car. 

It’s completely understandable that some parents want to share a family bed with infants in the first months of life because they are so sleep deprived. However, it’s important to know that the risks do not outweigh the benefits. Knowing the best practices for safe sleep can help you make more informed choices that support healthy sleep for your new infant and you. 

Today’s topic can be sensitive to some parents because there is a large section of parents that feel strongly about co-sleeping. However, when we know more, we can start to consider other things we may have not thought about before. When parents understand the risk that co-sleeping with small infants presents, they may be motivated to find a similar, but safer solution - like the bassinet that has a drop down side to connect with the parents’ bed. There is a lot more to say and learn about this topic, but for now I’ll wrap things up here. As always, I welcome your comments or questions about this episode. Please don’t hesitate to connect with me at deanna@proactiveparenting.com. And if you want to find out more about who I am and what I do, please take a look at my webpage, www.proactiveparenting.com. 

You can also go to Facebook and Instagram to connect with other parents just like you. Find me by searching for my name - Deanna Marie Mason. Finally, if you would like to purchase any of my books, online courses, such as Newborn Care or Breastfeeding Bootcamp, or audio courses, you can find all those resources on my webpage, again that is www.proactiveparenting.com 

Thanks so much for listening, I hope you found this episode useful and interesting. If you did, please leave a comment and tell a friend so they can become a Proactive Parent too! 

Well, that’s all from me for right now. This is Dr. Deanna Marie Mason signing off. I look forward to connecting with you again soon. Until then, take care and be well. Bye!