N.B. chief coroner sounds alarm on unsafe infant sleeping practices

A newborn infant in a blanket swaddle wraps her fingers around her father and mother's fingers as she sleeps. (CTV file photo)

A review in New Brunswick has found unsafe sleep practices were either a direct cause or a contributing factor in 20 child deaths over a span of nearly six years.

The Office of the Chief Coroner released a report from the Child Death Review Committee on Monday, which found unsafe sleep practices were associated with 36 per cent of all deaths of children under the age of two between Jan. 1, 2020 and Sept. 11, 2025.

In 16 of the 20 cases, unsafe sleep practices were directly linked to the cause of death.

According to the provincial government, unsafe sleep practices include putting infants to sleep on their side or stomach; bed-sharing; using unsafe sleep surfaces, such as adult beds or couches; and the presence of soft bedding, toys or other items in a baby’s sleep environment.

The review makes particular mention of “the growing influence of social media narratives that portray these practices – particularly sharing a bed or any sleep surface – as safe alternatives.”

Federal health authorities recommend that infants sleep alone, on their backs, in a crib, cradle or bassinet free of blankets, pillows and toys.

The report has six recommendations, which include strengthening safe sleep education and policy across child welfare training, hospital discharge practices and public health messaging, as well as releasing the report publicly.

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