IS BREAST-FEEDING IN BED ALWAYS A SAFE PRACTICE

Objectives: To examine whether infants who are being breast fed in the ir mother's bed are at increased risk of accidental suffocation. Mater ials and methods: Review of all cases of unexpected infant death occur ring in South Australia, Australia during 1996 was undertaken to ascer tain whether any cases of sudden infant death had occurred in associat ion with breast feeding in the parental bed. All infants had death sce ne examinations, history reviews and full autopsies performed. Results : Three of a total of 28 cases of unexpected infant death were identif ied where accidental asphyxia associated with breast feeding-related c osleeping was considered a likely cause of death. Maternal fatigue was a factor in each of the three cases. There were nine SIDS cases and 1 6 other cases which included non-accidental injury, accidental asphyxi a, congenital cardiovascular disease and sepsis. Conclusions: Accident al asphyxia is a rare but possible outcome if mothers fall asleep in b ed with their infants while breast feeding. Nursing mothers should be made aware of the potential dangers of fatigue and sedation in such ci rcumstances. Breast feeding out of bed, or in the company of a second person who can ensure the safety of the infant if breast feeding is oc curring in bed may prevent these unfortunate fatalities.