Infants have extremely limited ability to move on their own. As a result, even pillows and bedding around an infant's sleep space require caution. A recent research report found that three-quarters of sudden infant deaths are associated with unsafe sleep environments.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, analyzed 4,861 cases of sudden deaths among infants under 1 year old from 2020 to 2024. The analysis included not only cases of sudden infant death syndrome, which occurs for unknown reasons, but also cases in which infants suddenly died from causes such as suffocation and strangulation.
Some 73% of sudden infant deaths were found to be associated with unsafe sleep environments. More specifically, 78% of the deaths involved soft bedding, 75% involved using a sleep space other than an infant crib or bassinet, 59% involved sharing a sleep space with another person or animal, and 48% involved sleeping in a position with the stomach or side of the body against the surface. Many of the infants who died had multiple risk factors at the same time.
Infants have difficulty changing their position on their own even if they become unable to breathe after being pressed down by something. As a result, some suffocate when their noses or mouths become blocked by soft bedding such as pillows or blankets. When a caregiver or pet sleeps in the same space as an infant, there is also a risk that they may roll over during sleep and unintentionally put pressure on the infant's body, making it difficult for the infant to breathe.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends putting infants to sleep on their backs, with their backs touching the mattress. Placing an infant on the stomach to help build neck strength should be done only when the infant is awake and a caregiver is nearby. To prevent suffocation, bedding should be firm and flat. It is advisable to keep the area around an infant's sleep space clear. If you are worried that the infant may be cold, it is safer to dress the infant in warm clothing rather than cover the infant with a blanket or quilt. In addition, infants should sleep in the same room as their caregivers but not share the same bed. These recommendations should always be followed, even for short naps.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, analyzed 4,861 cases of sudden deaths among infants under 1 year old from 2020 to 2024. The analysis included not only cases of sudden infant death syndrome, which occurs for unknown reasons, but also cases in which infants suddenly died from causes such as suffocation and strangulation.
Some 73% of sudden infant deaths were found to be associated with unsafe sleep environments. More specifically, 78% of the deaths involved soft bedding, 75% involved using a sleep space other than an infant crib or bassinet, 59% involved sharing a sleep space with another person or animal, and 48% involved sleeping in a position with the stomach or side of the body against the surface. Many of the infants who died had multiple risk factors at the same time.
Infants have difficulty changing their position on their own even if they become unable to breathe after being pressed down by something. As a result, some suffocate when their noses or mouths become blocked by soft bedding such as pillows or blankets. When a caregiver or pet sleeps in the same space as an infant, there is also a risk that they may roll over during sleep and unintentionally put pressure on the infant's body, making it difficult for the infant to breathe.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends putting infants to sleep on their backs, with their backs touching the mattress. Placing an infant on the stomach to help build neck strength should be done only when the infant is awake and a caregiver is nearby. To prevent suffocation, bedding should be firm and flat. It is advisable to keep the area around an infant's sleep space clear. If you are worried that the infant may be cold, it is safer to dress the infant in warm clothing rather than cover the infant with a blanket or quilt. In addition, infants should sleep in the same room as their caregivers but not share the same bed. These recommendations should always be followed, even for short naps.