The researchers analyzed data on infant sleep-related deaths from 24 states for 2004 to 2012 and found that the following factors made sofa sleeping particularly hazardous for infants:
- An infant sleeping on a sofa is often sharing the surface with a parent or caregiver. “Sharing a sofa with an infant is becoming increasingly common in some countries and may be done to calm or feed the infant, and the parent may inadvertently or intentionally fall asleep with the infant.” According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), surface sharing is a risk factor for infant sleep-related death.
- Researchers cited a previous study’s findings that “sleeping with an infant on a sofa was 79% more likely if the mother was a smoker.” Prenatal and infant exposure to cigarette smoke are also risk factors for sleep-related death.
- In cases of sofa-related SIDS deaths, infants are more often found on their sides or prone (i.e., lying on their stomachs), as opposed to the supine position (i.e., lying on their backs). The AAP recommends that infants be placed to sleep on their backs.
Researchers noted the importance of educating parents and caregivers about safe sleep recommendations and the dangers of using a sofa as a sleep surface for an infant.
The AAP has guidelines for a safe infant sleeping environment.
