Breastfeeding mum smothers baby after falling asleep on the plane

purple_jan · Dec 1st, 2009, 08:20 AM

Just read this story on yahoo news and it’s a tragedy as so many mothers who share beds with their LO’s or feed them in the bed or on the sofa could easily fall asleep and smother them. It really makes you think how you need to keep alert and take extra care. The baby was only 4 weeks old and the lady was taking her home to show her family.

The MW at the antenatal class did stress about not breastfeeding a baby on the sofa as the LO can end up in corners.

One comment read:
The fact is that when you breastfeed, your body produces oxytocin (a hormone) that makes you feel very relaxed (probably to help the milk flow) and drowsy. It really does send you off to sleep. I've fallen asleep feeding both my children - on the sofa and in bed sitting up.
It's especially common in the first few weeks after childbirth because mums are so sleep deprived and babies need to be fed so frequently.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the mother and child xx

kayleigh&bump · Dec 1st, 2009, 08:24 AM

thats terrible, thanks for sharing xx

anothersquish · Dec 1st, 2009, 08:26 AM

There are many bits of info around for those who wish to co-sleep safely (this could also apply if you dont wish to co-sleep but are very tired at feed times to reduce risks) this is another case where it seems prudent that people take extra care when feeding (breast or bottle) and they are tired. Sipping cold water frequently, having TV/music on, having a light on etc can help stop you falling asleep.
What a terrible accident to have occurred, especially somewhere crowded like a plane!

emerald78 · Dec 1st, 2009, 08:29 AM

I have heard lots of stories like this and I am still astounded that health professionals can still recommend you have your baby in your bed with you. There was a woman in Bradford who has lost two babies one by the baby sleeping in her bed and one when feeding sat up in a chair and then the mum fell asleep. The police were involved but turned out it was just a tragic accident about 4 years apart. Other things that can cause death in very young infants are propping them up on a couch with cushions and leaving babies for long times in car seats. This is when their head falls forward when asleep and they block their windpipe. I have bought a been bag so the baby will lie flat rather than a rocking chair and have no plans other than to have the baby in the car seat only when in the car.

But we all have personal choices and that is mine. Its just really upsetting to read stories like this. We all want to protect our children as best we can.

Babybug · Dec 1st, 2009, 08:34 AM

Something else to worry about, It must be so easy to fall asleep breastfeeding in the middle of the night, how do you avoid it? should you get out of bed and sit in a chair?

FemmeEnceinte · Dec 1st, 2009, 08:44 AM

Mmmm... it's tragic but very isolated. Most women wishing to co-sleep or who intend to BF lying down should know to research the safest possible ways.

I don't really like articles that make BFing out to be bad in any way.

anothersquish · Dec 1st, 2009, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babybug

Something else to worry about, It must be so easy to fall asleep breastfeeding in the middle of the night, how do you avoid it? should you get out of bed and sit in a chair?

Have a read up on safe co-sleeping. Falling asleep whilst on the sofa/chair when BFing is statistically much more dangerous than when lay down in bed. Even if you dont intend to co-sleep most mothers get so tired in the first few weeks it is VERY easy to fall asleep whilst nursing and the very best thing to do is follow all the guidelines for safe co-cleeping so that if you do accidentally fall asleep nursing (or bottle feeding, same risks!) you are in the safest possible position.

purple_jan · Dec 1st, 2009, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FemmeEnceinte

Mmmm... it's tragic but very isolated. Most women wishing to co-sleep or who intend to BF lying down should know to research the safest possible ways.

I don't really like articles that make BFing out to be bad in any way.

It wouldnt stop me breastfeeding coz I believe its the best milk out there.

Maybe put the alarm on - so it goes off after certain time.

emerald78 · Dec 1st, 2009, 09:00 AM

I fall asleep really easily and I am worried that I would do this, especially as anothersquish says you will be so tired in the first few weeks. I personally am using a chair that is part of my garden furniture. Its comfortable enough to sit in but not to fall asleep. I wanted a nursing chair but was advised against them by the physio as the are too low and far too comfy as they come with a footstool which would allow you to get too comfy whether bf or ff and could encourage you to fall asleep. I am an extremely lazy person so I will not be feeding in bed as you really should be sat up.

My oh has been instructed to ensure he makes me get out of bed and use the chair to feed. But who knows what happens.

Also like femme enciente says these are isolated incidents but just highlight the risks!

caz81 · Dec 1st, 2009, 09:13 AM

that is a really sad story

Dec 1st, 2009, 08:20 AM	#1
purple_jan Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 146	Breastfeeding mum smothers baby after falling asleep on the plane Just read this story on yahoo news and it’s a tragedy as so many mothers who share beds with their LO’s or feed them in the bed or on the sofa could easily fall asleep and smother them. It really makes you think how you need to keep alert and take extra care. The baby was only 4 weeks old and the lady was taking her home to show her family. The MW at the antenatal class did stress about not breastfeeding a baby on the sofa as the LO can end up in corners. One comment read: The fact is that when you breastfeed, your body produces oxytocin (a hormone) that makes you feel very relaxed (probably to help the milk flow) and drowsy. It really does send you off to sleep. I've fallen asleep feeding both my children - on the sofa and in bed sitting up. It's especially common in the first few weeks after childbirth because mums are so sleep deprived and babies need to be fed so frequently. My thoughts and prayers go out to the mother and child xx

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Dec 1st, 2009, 08:24 AM	#2
kayleigh&bump Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Maidstone, kent Posts: 5,108	thats terrible, thanks for sharing xx

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Dec 1st, 2009, 08:26 AM	#3
anothersquish Mum (Mom) Inactive Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5,415	There are many bits of info around for those who wish to co-sleep safely (this could also apply if you dont wish to co-sleep but are very tired at feed times to reduce risks) this is another case where it seems prudent that people take extra care when feeding (breast or bottle) and they are tired. Sipping cold water frequently, having TV/music on, having a light on etc can help stop you falling asleep. What a terrible accident to have occurred, especially somewhere crowded like a plane!

Status: Offline

Dec 1st, 2009, 08:29 AM	#4
emerald78 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lancashire Posts: 502	I have heard lots of stories like this and I am still astounded that health professionals can still recommend you have your baby in your bed with you. There was a woman in Bradford who has lost two babies one by the baby sleeping in her bed and one when feeding sat up in a chair and then the mum fell asleep. The police were involved but turned out it was just a tragic accident about 4 years apart. Other things that can cause death in very young infants are propping them up on a couch with cushions and leaving babies for long times in car seats. This is when their head falls forward when asleep and they block their windpipe. I have bought a been bag so the baby will lie flat rather than a rocking chair and have no plans other than to have the baby in the car seat only when in the car. But we all have personal choices and that is mine. Its just really upsetting to read stories like this. We all want to protect our children as best we can.

Status: Offline

Dec 1st, 2009, 08:34 AM	#5
Babybug Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 811	Something else to worry about, It must be so easy to fall asleep breastfeeding in the middle of the night, how do you avoid it? should you get out of bed and sit in a chair?

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Dec 1st, 2009, 08:44 AM	#6
FemmeEnceinte Mum (Mom) Inactive Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5,903	Mmmm... it's tragic but very isolated. Most women wishing to co-sleep or who intend to BF lying down should know to research the safest possible ways. I don't really like articles that make BFing out to be bad in any way.

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Dec 1st, 2009, 09:00 AM	#9
emerald78 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lancashire Posts: 502	I fall asleep really easily and I am worried that I would do this, especially as anothersquish says you will be so tired in the first few weeks. I personally am using a chair that is part of my garden furniture. Its comfortable enough to sit in but not to fall asleep. I wanted a nursing chair but was advised against them by the physio as the are too low and far too comfy as they come with a footstool which would allow you to get too comfy whether bf or ff and could encourage you to fall asleep. I am an extremely lazy person so I will not be feeding in bed as you really should be sat up. My oh has been instructed to ensure he makes me get out of bed and use the chair to feed. But who knows what happens. Also like femme enciente says these are isolated incidents but just highlight the risks!

Status: Offline

Dec 1st, 2009, 09:13 AM	#10
caz81 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 7,219	that is a really sad story

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