Three infants die from co-sleeping in suffolk county
- In Suffolk County, New York, three infants have died from co-sleeping incidents in recent weeks.
- Local health officials stress that co-sleeping risks include strangulation and suffocation.
- Authorities are raising awareness to prevent further infant deaths associated with this practice.
In New York, specifically in Suffolk County, a tragic warning has been issued to parents regarding the dangers of co-sleeping after a series of recent infant deaths. Over the past four weeks, three infants have lost their lives as a result of this practice, bringing the total deaths in 2024 to six. Last year, there were ten recorded deaths related to co-sleeping, highlighting a concerning trend that has drawn significant attention from health officials. County Executive Ed Romaine voiced his deep concern, describing the heartbreaking scenarios where infants have died after parents inadvertently rolled over while sleeping. In one instance, twins were involved; tragically, one twin died while the other survived. This led to renewed public service announcements aimed at educating parents about safe sleeping practices. Suffolk County health officials stressed that co-sleeping poses severe risks including strangulation and suffocation caused by a parent's movement during sleep. There appear to be no cultural links between these incidents, as health experts noted that families from different backgrounds fell victim to this practice. Dr. Razia Jayman-Aristride from the Suffolk County Health Department emphasized the importance of promoting safe sleeping environments for babies. Campaigns have been initiated to offer free cribs to families in need, as well as to encourage adherence to the ABC’s of safe sleeping, which advocate for infants sleeping alone, on their backs, and in their cribs. Despite these measures, societal stigma and lack of awareness about the dangers of co-sleeping persist among new parents. Experts suggest that many parents are not openly discussing infant sleeping arrangements, which exacerbates the issue, leading some to remain oblivious to the risks associated with co-sleeping. Suffolk officials have recognized the importance of addressing these barriers, pledging to work closely with hospitals to ensure new mothers receive clear messages about the potential dangers of co-sleeping as they prepare to bring their babies home.