Sheriff Reminds Parents of Danger in Sleeping in Same Bed as Babies and Infants After Pontiac Child’s Death
(OCSO, March 25, 2023)
Pontiac, MI – The sleep-related death of an infant Thursday in Pontiac was a tragic reminder of what can happen when a parent or adult and infant sleep in the same bed.
“Sadly, we have seen far too many of these tragedies,” Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. “It’s a crushing reminder that we need to have infants sleeping in an appropriate environment.”
Deputies were dispatched to a Pontiac resident shortly after 3 p.m. on the report of a baby not breathing. She was found unresponsive by the mother. Before arriving at the residence, deputies learned the mother was rushing the baby to the hospital. The mother, who saw the patrol vehicle, got out of her car, and ran to the deputy with the baby in her arms.
Also present was Waterford Regional Fire Department captain. The captain took the baby and began performing CPR and continued the life-saving measures in the front seat of the squad car as the deputy drove to the hospital.
Attempts to resuscitate the baby were unsuccessful and she died a short time later.
The baby had been sleeping in the same bed as her father.
Results of an autopsy performed today as to the cause and manner of death are pending. There were no signs of foul play.
Approximately 3,500 infants die annually in the United States from sleep-related infant deaths, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics
It is estimated that as many as half of these deaths result from unsafe sleeping environments, such as soft bedding, sharing beds, or sleeping in accident prone positions.
Sleep-related causes of infant death can be prevented by following safe sleep guidelines.
Providing a crib to a family who needs one may save an infant’s life. The Sheriff’s Office, along with the Oakland County Health Division, announced the Cops-n- Cribs program in 2015, to provide free, portable cribs to families in need of providing a safe sleep environment for an infant. The Sheriff’s Office is a partner with the national Cribs for Kids organization and can purchase cribs at a reduced price for this program.
More information on the program is available at https://www.oakgov.com/sheriff/Community%20Services/Pages/default.aspx.
Guidance For Safe Sleep and Bed-Sharing
▪ Parents should never sleep with a baby if they use drugs, drink, or smoke.
▪ Babies born premature or underweight should not sleep in the parental bed.
▪ Babies should never sleep on recliners, chairs, couches, sofas, or water beds.
▪ Babies who aren’t breastfed have an increased risk of SIDS; breastfeeding keeps babies and mothers in a lighter stage of sleep, which promotes a greater awareness of what the other is doing.
▪ Regardless of where the infant sleeps, always place an infant on its back to sleep.
▪ Toddlers or older children should not sleep next to infants.
▪ Use light sleep clothes and light blankets. Keep pillows and any item that could obstruct breathing away from infants.
▪ Sleep on a firm mattress that is on the floor.
Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics, James McKenna, University of Notre Dame
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