Shared bed is the biggest cause of sudden death among babies, says American Academy of Pediatrics

A recent study released by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) revealed that 60% of cases of sudden and unexpected death in babies (SUID) are associated with sharing sleeping surfaces, such as beds, chairs or sofas, with another person.

The research, conducted by a team that included researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), analyzed 7,595 cases of SUID in 23 U.S. jurisdictions. U.S between 2011 and 2020. The results indicated that three in five babies were sharing a sleeping surface at the time of death.

“Our results support comprehensive advice about safe sleep for each family at each meeting, beyond just asking where a baby is sleeping,” the authors wrote in the study “Characteristics of Sudden and Unexpected Infant Deaths on Shared and Non-Shared Sleeping Surfaces.”

The study also observed that babies who shared a sleeping surface and died had different characteristics from those who did not. The majority of these babies were black, depended on public health assistance and were between 0 and 3 months old.

Additionally, researchers noted that at least 76% of all SUID cases involved multiple unsafe sleeping factors, including everything from sleeping position to the presence of adults under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of death. The majority shared the surface only with adults (68.2%), in an adult bed (75.9%) and with one other person (51.6%).

According to the study, there are about 3,400 cases of SUID in the US annually. To reduce the risk, the AAP asks that babies be placed to sleep on their backs, on a firm, flat surface without soft objects or loose bedding. The institution also reinforced that babies should not share a sleeping surface with another person.

“It is crucial that healthcare professionals comprehensively address and discuss infant sleep practices during prenatal visits and routine appointments. Incorporating parents into these discussions about their sleep practices and assisting them in making decisions to address their concerns while reducing the risk of SUID is of immense value,” the study authors highlighted.