KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, LouisianaInfant dies after bed deflates

Infant dies after bed deflates

October 31, 2007
By Theresa Schmidt

Mississippi authorities are investigating the death of a seven month old baby who apparently died after the inflatable mattress the child was sleeping on deflated. The tragedy comes as SIDS awareness month draws to a close. Local health and safety officials urge everyone to be aware of unsafe practices that can kill infants.

Lt. Joe Wade with the Jackson Police Department explains what they know about the death of the baby: "Initial information is that the child fell asleep on an air mattress and throughout the night the air deflated out of the air mattress, and the child apparently suffocated. The parents were actually in the bed right beside the air mattress which was right on the floor right beside the parents."

The tragic death in Jackson is a reminder that babies need safe sleeping environments. Calcasieu Coroner Terry Welke says in the case of a baby on an inflatable mattress or in bed with other family members, the baby would be safer on the floor. "I'm sure people think, 'Well, I'll put my infant on a pillow, which would be another dangerous situation. Little kids they don't, little tykes, they don't need any special bedding like adults feel like they need. If worse comes to worse, sleeping on the floor would have been better for the infant."

 Welke, who serves on the State Child Death Review Panel, has seen many infant deaths associated with bed sharing over the years. "We see infants being wedged in between adults and the backs and sides and bottoms of couches where they've been sleeping with infants as well. So, adults sleeping with infants, no matter what the situation, is just not good. I think it's a disaster waiting to happen."

 Registered nurse Nancy Roach reminds parents it's always safest to put baby on her back and to minimize bedding. "In a safe sleep environment we don't want to see bumper pads, we don't want to see stuffed animals, pillows, soft blankets, anything that could get in the baby's face."

 Michelle McInnis with United Way says with donations they're providing safe beds for infants in need. "Whether it's grandparents, or parents of newborns, if they couldn't provide that we would."

 The state's public awareness campaign aims to reduce sudden infant deaths in Louisiana from among the highest rates in the country. If you or someone you know cannot afford a safe crib call united way at 433-1088.