The Lehigh County coroner’s office and Allentown Health Bureau are urging parents to follow safe sleep practices for infants following recent co-sleeping deaths in the county.
Coroner Daniel A. Buglio said there have been four infant deaths involving co-sleeping this year in the county, including one Monday. The deaths have already exceeded the total of three in the county all of last year, he said.
“The loss of any child is a tragedy that profoundly impacts families, friends, and our entire community,” Buglio said in a news release. “These deaths serve as a sobering reminder that infants are safest when placed alone, on their backs, and in a crib, bassinet, or play yard designed specifically for infant sleep.”
Co-sleeping, he said, includes sharing a bed, couch, recliner or other surface with an infant, which can significantly increase the risk of accidental suffocation and sleep-related deaths.
In one case, an infant death led to criminal charges. A Coplay woman was charged this year in the death of her 2-month-old daughter while sharing a bed in November. Authorities allege she was under the influence of sedating medication when she rolled over on the girl, killing her, despite being previously warned about the dangers of co-sleeping.
The coroner’s office and Allentown Health Bureau are promoting safe sleep education in the community. The health bureau offers home visits to assess safe sleep environments for pregnant women and parents of newborns.
Buglio said the program helps families create safe sleeping spaces and educates parents on how to prevent sleep-related infant deaths.
The coroner noted that parents should refer to the “ABC’s of Sleep,” set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The A stands for alone, meaning that babies should sleep by themselves; the B sands for back, because infants should be placed on their backs for sleep; and the C stands for crib, because infants should use a crib, bassinet or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress and fitted sheet, according to a coroner’s office news release.
“These deaths are heartbreaking because they are often preventable,” Buglio said. “Our goal is not to place blame, but to educate families and caregivers so that every infant has the safest possible sleep environment. By working together with healthcare providers, public health professionals, and community partners such as the Allentown Health Bureau, we can help prevent future tragedies and save lives.”
Those who are interested in learning more about the city’s health bureau’s programs can contact the bureau at 610-437-7760 or injuryprevention@allentownpa.gov.