Unsafe Sleeping Environments for Infants
Published March 16th, 2012
In the past two months, there have been four infant deaths in north Florida, all due to unsafe sleeping environments and it was only a year ago that two children lost their lives the same way on the same night.
TV 20's Yaremi Farinas spoke to one mother who is not taking any chances.
"It can really happen to your child."
Jennifer Powell of Gainesville is fairly new to motherhood.
She has a fifteen month old baby girl who used to sleep next to her every night until she reached six months.
Baby Gabriella didn't sleep next to her in bed, instead she slept in a bassinet.
"At least their still close by, but not in the bed so you don't roll on them."
That is just one of many unsafe sleeping environments that can cause a tragedy.
Just here in a Alachua county, a nine-week old girl died after sleeping on her stomach in an adult bed with pillows surrounding her.
A year ago, two infants died in similar but unrelated incidents.
Dr. Rachel Coleman of the University of Florida's Pediatric Primary Care explains why parents should be aware of how they are putting their baby to sleep.
"There is the danger of accidental suffocation, entrapment, strangulation that can happen if the baby is right there in the bed with the parent."
She says there are ways to prevent incidents like this. Some examples are keeping the baby on a firm mattress instead of a couch, room sharing not bed sharing, don't have extra blankets or pillows and make sure to put your baby to sleep on their back not their stomach.
Powell sometimes finds herself taking advice like this from those who are more experienced.
"I have called a couple friends myself and what do i do in this situation."
To make sure baby Gabriella wakes up safe and sound every morning.
By: Yaremi Farinas
