CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Babies who die unexpectedly in their sleep are often exposed to various hazards that may have led to their deaths, a recent study finds. According to a study published in the journal Pediatrics, about 76% of Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUID) involve multiple unsafe sleep practices.

The hazardous sleep practices identified in the study include sharing a bed with others, sleeping with soft items that pose suffocation risks, sleeping on their bellies or sides, and sleeping outside a crib. Dr. Fern Hauck, a safe-sleep expert at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, expressed concern over the high number of unsafe sleep practices contributing to infant deaths.

Researchers analyzed close to 7,600 SUID cases in the U.S. between 2011 and 2020. They found that 60% of the cases involved infants sharing a sleep surface at the time of death. This practice is discouraged due to the increased risk of accidental suffocation when sharing a bed with an adult or another child.

Experts recommend that babies sleep alone on their backs in a crib with only a fitted sheet. Soft toys, bumpers, wedges, and blankets in the sleep environment can raise the risk of suffocation. Educating families on safe sleep practices before leaving the hospital and following up to ensure compliance is crucial in reducing SUID rates.

The study also revealed that babies who died while sleeping alone were often found on their bellies or sides with soft bedding present. Efforts to promote safe sleep guidelines and provide resources to families in need are necessary to prevent SUID deaths. Clinicians and caregivers must engage in meaningful conversations with at-risk families to address barriers to safe-sleep practices.

Hauck emphasized the importance of continuous support for new parents and efforts to enhance awareness of safe sleep recommendations. Hospitals play a vital role in directing struggling families to resources that can help them create a safe sleep environment for their infants. The goal is to reduce SUID rates and ensure that every baby has a safe sleep space to minimize the risk of unexpected infant deaths.