Approximately 400 Texas Newborns Die a Year in Their Sleep from Bed-Sharing
According to KRISTV.com and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, almost 400 Texas babies die in their sleep each year. Most of the time it seems unexpected and without a clear cause. But there is a clear cause and there are precautions all parents should take. It just seems like it's really not worth the risk.
Referring to a tragedy less than a year ago, Corpus Christi PD and Child Protective Services investigated in a tragic incident where it seems the parent were sleeping with the infant and another child. They discovered the baby not breathing when they woke up. They tried CPR which went unsuccessful, and doctors at Driscoil Children's Hospital also failed to save the child.
To help you parents sleep at night, here are a few tips from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services on bed-sharing.
First and foremost, the safest place for a baby to sleep is in a safety-approved crib or bassinet in the same room with a parent or caregiver. Adult beds are not made for babies, hence the name "Adult". They increase the risk of accidental entrapment and suffocation.
The ABC's of Infant sleep:
A - Sleep alone
B - On their backs with no blankets or bedding
C - In a crib and cool (70 degrees)
S - In a smoke free environment