Florida Police Issue Co-Sleeping Warning After Spike in Infant Deaths

Following three sleep-related infant deaths in Escambia County, Florida, the Health Department is warning parents about the importance of sleep safety.

Last year, there were six sleep-related incidents in Escambia County. In January alone, there have been three infant deaths. The recent uptick is why the department is urging parents to heed its message.

One of the infants died while sleeping in the parents’ bed when the baby got tangled in the blanket. In the second instance, a mom was breastfeeding her child in bed and reportedly fell asleep with the baby in bed with her. When she woke up, her child had passed.

Co-sleeping has become a hot-button parenting practice. The majority of pediatricians say co-sleeping with baby increases their risk of SIDS, but many parents who co-sleep think it’s an important bonding experience. The good news is, there’s a happy medium. You can practice safe co-sleeping if you put baby to sleep in a separate bassinet next to your bed—as opposed to in your bed.

In fact, the AAP encourages parents to room-share with baby for at least the first six months, and ideally a year, since having baby nearby actually lowers the risk of SIDS by as much as 50 percent.

Captain Dawn Janes, of Escambia County Florida Sheriff’s Office, warns parents that co-sleeping fatalities don’t "always happen in a bed” and it “would be a mistake to think that it only happens in a bed.”

Such was the case with the county’s third infant fatality last month. The baby died of suffocation after getting caught wedged between a stuffed animal and the crib. Sadly, this isn’t an uncommon scenario.

Sleep safety starts in the crib or bassinet. Babies should always sleep on a firm surface—meaning a hard surface that doesn’t indent when they’re lying on it—and a tight fitted sheet designed specifically for that product. You also don’t want any large gaps between the mattress and sides of the crib. And other than the mattress, fitted sheet and your child, there should be nothing in the crib while baby sleeps. That means no blankets, pillows, toys or crib bumper pads. And make sure baby sleeps on their back.

While the tragic incidents have specifically been hitting the Florida county, the warning is one all parents can benefit from. In fact, a 2016 report from the AAP revealed most babies are placed in sleep environments that aren’t safe.

Learn more about expert-recommended tips to keep babies safe while they sleep and the best sleep positions for a newborn.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.