A new study has found that a quarter of breastfeeding mothers admit to unknowingly falling asleep while feeding, increasing the risk of baby suffocation. The risk increases when children sleep on soft, padded areas with limited space, such as a sofa, chair or bed. sudden infant death syndrome According to researchers at the University of Virginia (UVA) in Charlottesville, (SIDS) increases.

The survey found that in more than 80 percent of these incidents, mothers had not planned to fall asleep while breastfeeding; He dozed off unconsciously. Dr. Fern Hawk, a safe sleep expert at UVA Health and the UVA School of Medicine, says, “Small infants falling asleep while feeding is not a surprise in itself, but what is concerning is that most moms plan to fall asleep. Wasn’t made.” were sleeping, so the sleeping position was potentially unsafe for the baby while both were sleeping.

Hawke points out the need to raise awareness among parents about the potential dangers of falling asleep while breastfeeding and emphasizes the importance of creating a safe environment for such moments. This involves removing pillows, blankets or any soft bedding from around the baby to ensure an open airway.

Data for the study, published in the November issue of Pediatrics, come from a survey of 1,250 new mothers interviewed at 16 U.S. hospitals in 2015 and 2016. The infants were between 2 and 3 months old at the time of the survey. More than 28 percent of mothers admitted that they “sometimes” or “usually” fell asleep while breastfeeding in the two weeks before the survey.

While some moms tried to reduce the likelihood of napping by choosing to breastfeed on the couch or chair instead of in bed, this strategy often proved ineffective. The study found that falling asleep on beds was more common (about 34 percent of cases) than on couches or chairs (about 17 percent). However, current guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggest that if mothers are likely to fall asleep while nursing, beds are generally safer than chairs or couches, where infants may trip or fall. There is a greater risk of.

The AAP strongly recommends not sharing a bed with an infant to prevent risks such as suffocation or entanglement in blankets or pillows. They admit that if a mother fears she might doze off while breastfeeding, a bed is better than a couch or chair.

Dr. Ann Kellams, co-author of the study and a pediatrician specializing in breastfeeding and lactation therapy, underlined the importance of creating safe sleep arrangements that accommodate the realities of parenting. “We need to meet families where they are and come up with a plan for nighttime sleep and feeding their baby that works for them and is as safe as possible,” she said. According to the study, many incidents of mothers falling asleep during breastfeeding happen spontaneously, so Kellams suggests that it is necessary to plan for breastfeeding during late periods.

The research team advocates actively educating breastfeeding mothers about the risks associated with incidental sleep while breastfeeding. Dr. Rachel Moon, a pediatrician and safe-sleep expert, encourages parents to think ahead about their nightly routine. “If you can sleep, feeding your baby in your bed is safer than feeding on the couch or chair,” she advises.

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