Safe Nursery Action
Group Members:

Nan Peterson
SAFEKIDS Coordinator
UW Children’s Hospital
(608) 262-9993

Lisa Bullard-Cawthorne
City of Madison
Dept of Public Health

Mary Bradley
City of Madison
Dept of Public Health

Amy Vieth
Dane County
Div. of Public Health

Alan Kromanaker
Babysafe, Inc.

Jean Rothschild
Dane Co Parent Council
Early Headstart

John E Stanley
Dane County Coroner

Michelle Reinen
Product Safety Section
WI DATCP
(608) 224-4988

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Infant Deaths Linked to Co-Bedding:

News Release from SAFE KIDS Coalition

Released: September 15, 2003

A 9-year review of deaths of children under two in Dane County finds an alarming number are related to sleeping with another person. The Madison Area SAFE KIDS Coalition recognizes the strong emotional feelings involved with the issue of co-bedding, both in favor of the practice and opposing it. While parents may choose to sleep with an infant believing it is best for their baby, the Safe Nursery Action Group would like to increase awareness of the risks.

Dane County Coroner John Stanley reviewed all child deaths from 1994 to 2002. Results of the review showed almost ¾ (16 deaths) of the unintentional suffocation deaths of children under 2 years occurred while sleeping on beds or couches with another person. In each case, the child was trapped between a person and a mattress or couch cushion. The 16 deaths represent more than a third (38%) of all unintentional deaths, not including motor vehicle deaths.

"The number of cases that involved an infant sleeping with another person in a bed, couch or overstuffed chair shows the need for public education of the risks involved when sleeping with an infant," said John Stanley, Dane County Coroner.

"This is an alarming number," said Nan Peterson, SAFE KIDS Coordinator and member of the Safe Nursery Action Group. "Parents choose to sleep with their baby believing it is good for them, often not knowing it can result in injury or even death for their child."

National statistics from the Consumer Product Safety Commission from 1999 to 2001, show most of the 100 suffocation deaths of children under the age of two involved adult beds.

"We want to make sure people are aware of the risks and inform them of safe alternatives to sleeping with infants or young children," said Michelle Reinen, Product Safety Investigator with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. "There are a number of ways to sleep with baby at arms length away and maintain that close watchful eye, without putting the baby at risk."

"Safer alternatives include placing a bassinet or crib close to the adult bed, or using a "co-sleeper," an infant bed that attaches to an adult bed.

"Parents can also put the baby in a crib and sleep on a cot or the floor in the baby’s room," said Betty Banks Director of Early Childhood Family Enhancement Center. "The risk for a baby in an adult bed is just too great for a parent not to be educated about." 

The risks include suffocation from an adult or other children rolling onto them. Babies rolling from back to tummy are also at risk of suffocation. Babies can become trapped between the bed and wall or other objects, the footboard or couch cushions. They can also fall from the bed onto objects on the floor that can cause suffocation."

"Adults should also remember to never sleep with an infant when extremely tired, taking medications or after using alcohol or drugs," said Peterson. "All of those things can decrease your awareness of baby’s needs and reduce your ability to respond." 

Click here for a copy of the factsheet: Sleeping With Your Baby: Know the Risks