They conclude, most, if not all, of these deaths might have. Positional asphyxia, which happens most often in infants, occurs when someones position prevents them from breathing enough air. Parents warn others of positional asphyxiation after. Smith spoke out about the experience in an interview on the today show on october 30. The chances of death in a car accident are much higher than the risk of positional asphyxiation. Breathing problems, being too small for the seat and an inability to sit in the semiupright position needed to keep breathing in the car seat are factors. Lisa smith said her daughter, mia, died when she was 17 months old while napping in a car seat. If the infant is not repositioned quickly, this lack of oxygen can cause brain damage and eventual death. The journal of pediatrics studied a sample of infant deaths in sitting or carrying devices, like car seats and swings. It was a normal thursday morning in january for new mom rachel jungling as she took her infant twins to day care.
After years of hoping, praying and struggling with infertility, ryne and rachel jungling were blessed with twins, whom they named linnea and anders. Many trendy sleep products for infants can be suffocation. Also, the recommendation is that baby needs a break from car seat every 1. What you dont know about positional asphyxia in infants. Positional asphyxia positional asphyxia happens when a person cant get enough air to breathe due to the positioning of hisher body. An investigation determined he died from positional asphyxia in the car seat after his airway was cut off from his head slumping over and his chin falling into his chest. Rachel and ryne jungling are now sharing their story after their baby son anders died from positional asphyxiation when he was left sleeping in a car seat, waga reports. The researchers found that 48 percent of the car seat deaths were due to positional asphyxia read articles that feature this panel. Mias cause of death was whats called positional asphyxia, which happens when a persons breathing is restricted by their position. Conclusioninfants and children 2 years of age and younger should be properly restrained and not be left unsu pervised in sitting and carrying devices. The aap said babies should not be placed on in incline to sleep. Smith then rushed to the hospital, where she was told her 1yearold daughter, mia, had died of positional asphyxia after taking a nap in her car seat.
The car seat ladybuckle baby, even out of the car the. Positional asphyxiation the suffocation risks of car seats. Not sure if this is a regional thing or it is everywhere in the us, but my husband and i had to watch safety training videos in the hospital when i had our son. Positional asphyxia can happen to anyone, but its most common in infants when a baby cannot get enough oxygen to breathe due to the positioning of their body. How to adjust seating to the proper position while driving. An investigation found that mia died of positional asphyxia, which occurs when someones position. Im sure she means that she sits in the backseat with the baby so she can keep an eye on the baby. Just short of a year later, a preventable accident caused anders death he was left sleeping in a car seat while at day care and suffered positional asphyxiation. My son died from positional asphyxia in a car seat. Positional asphyxiation the silent killer for babies the word asphyxia comes from ancient greek word. In mias case, she likely slid down in the unbuckled car seat causing her to fall into a position where her airway was blocked. Never put a car seat in the front seat if you have the choice of a backseat. Most of these injuries occurred outside of the car and often to older babiesthe median age was 9 months. Older infants and toddlers have also died from positional asphyxia.
Newborns and young infants dont have the neck strength to lift their heads enough to. A mother says her 17monthold child died while napping in. Hazards associated with sitting and carrying devices for. Here are safe sleep practices from the aap to prevent sudden infant death syndrome sids, plus how to prevent positional asphyxiation in car seats. As brachosanchez said, be sure to bring a portable bassinet so babies can continue safe sleep while traveling. An investigation determined he died from positional asphyxia while sleeping in a car seat at his daycare facility. There are different ways you can adjust your seat, like moving it toward. This must be taken into account when placing the child in a car seat. Mom shares warning about car seat danger after her toddler.
Here are safe sleep practices from the aapto prevent sudden infant death syndrome sids, plus how to prevent positional asphyxiation in car seats. Fiftytwo percent of deaths in car seats were attributed to strangulation from straps. It is very important to do so correctly, with the correct posture and with the harness correctly fastened to prevent the childs body from doubling over onto itself and hindering breathing. A mothers warning after her 18monthold died sleeping in. Positional asphyxia occurs when a baby slouches down in a car seat or infant rocker and their airway closes. Driving with your seat adjusted properly will make you more comfortable and safe. Some believe this type of asphyxiation is a result of an infant being trapped between a surface, with their nose andor mouth covered and restricting air. Positional asphyxiation the silent killer for babies. Positional asphyxiation the danger of babies sleeping in. Asphyxiation is a condition of severe deficient of oxygen to the brain and body because of abnormal breathing.
Sadly, in mias case, this car seat nap resulted in her death and its because of her cause of death that lisa smith has an urgent warning for parents and caregivers everywhere. With the head elevated, an infant is in a position that could lead to asphyxia, the aap noted. They conclude, most, if not all, of these deaths might have been prevented had the device been used properly andor had there been. This has happened when car seats are placed on beds and other furniture and roll over and trap the infant or toddler. Infant car seats have been designed and tested not only to protect your baby in a collision but also to ensure that if your baby does fall asleep in the seat, the risks of slumping down, chin. A baby can sleep safely in a car seat placed in a car because the car seat is placed at an angle. Being up to date with newborn safety not only puts mum and dad at ease by reducing the risk. Protecting infants and toddlers from positional asphyxia. Positional asphyxia is when the babys sleeping position prevents him or her from breathing adequately, said dr. Another study found that from 20042008, 31 babies died in their car seats due to asphyxiation lack of oxygen or strangulation.
Theres nothing about the car seat thats designed to. T2383 protecting infants and toddlers from positional. An investigation found that mia died of positional asphyxia, which occurs when someones position prevents them from breathing. As for the 52 percent of car seat deaths that werent caused by positional asphyxiation. This is known as positional asphyxia or restraint asphyxia. This doesnt mean you should stop creating lasting memories with beautiful poses. If youre not careful to secure the straps on a swing, rocker, or car.