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A new study reveals that a quarter of breastfeeding mothers admit to unintentionally falling asleep while nursing, this increases the risk of infant suffocation. When babies sleep in soft, cushioned areas with limited space—like sofas, armchairs, or beds—the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) rises, according to researchers from the University of Virginia (UVA) in Charlottesville.

The survey found that in over 80 per cent of these incidents, the mothers did not plan to fall asleep while feeding; they simply dozed off unintentionally. Dr Fern Hauck, a safe-sleep expert at UVA Health and the UVA School of Medicine, shares “While falling asleep while feeding young infants is not in itself too surprising, what is very alarming is that the majority of mothers did not plan to fall asleep, so the sleep space was potentially unsafe for the baby while both slept.”

Hauck explains the need for increased awareness among parents regarding the potential dangers of falling asleep while breastfeeding and stresses the importance of preparing a safe environment for such moments. This includes removing pillows, blankets, or any soft bedding around the baby to ensure an open airway.

The data from this study, published in the November issue of Pediatrics, comes from a survey of 1,250 new mothers interviewed across 16 U.S. hospitals in 2015 and 2016. The infants were between 2 and 3 months old at the time of the survey. Over 28 per cent of the mothers admitted they "sometimes" or "usually" fell asleep while breastfeeding within the two weeks before the survey.

While some mothers tried to reduce the chance of dozing off by choosing to breastfeed on a sofa or chair rather than a bed, this strategy often proved ineffective. The study found that falling asleep was more common in beds (around 34 per cent of cases) than on sofas or chairs (about 17 per cent). However, current guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggest that if mothers are likely to fall asleep while feeding, beds are generally safer than chairs or sofas, where babies face higher risks of entrapment or falling.

The AAP strongly advises against bed-sharing with infants to prevent risks like rolling onto the baby or the baby becoming entangled in blankets or pillows. They acknowledge that if a mother fears she may doze off while nursing, a bed is preferable to a couch or armchair.

Dr Ann Kellams, a co-author of the study and a paediatrician specializing in breastfeeding and lactation medicine, underscored the importance of making safe sleep arrangements that accommodate the realities of parenting. “We need to meet families where they are and come up with a nighttime plan for sleeping 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 while breastfeeding happen spontaneously, so Kellams suggests that creating a plan for feeding during late hours is essential.

The research team advocates for proactively educating breastfeeding mothers on the risks associated with accidental sleep during feeding. Dr Rachel Moon, a paediatrician and safe-sleep expert, encourages parents to think ahead about their nighttime routines. “Feeding your baby in your bed is safer than feeding on a couch or armchair if you might fall asleep,” she advised.

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