The Dangers of Bed Sharing with Your Child

The Bristol County Child Fatality Review Team reported an increase in bed-sharing infant deaths in 2005. Out of 30 child fatalities, six were bed-sharing deaths as compared to two out of 22 infant deaths in 2004.

The Bristol County District Attorney's Community Outreach Division has launched a public service campaign with Southcoast Hospitals called "Safe Sleep Program — Dangers of Bed Sharing."

The Bristol County District Attorney is raising awareness on the serious problem of infant deaths as a result of bed sharing. The three Southcoast hospitals — Charlton Memorial in Fall River, St. Luke's in New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham — are the primary providers of maternity services in Southeastern Massachusetts and support this important public service campaign.

Providing a safe place for babies to sleep can solve this problem.

Families can obtain free bassinets through the Bristol County District Attorney's Office. Click here for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bed Sharing from the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development

Read the report from the Task Force on Infant Sleep Position and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome from the American Academy of Pediatrics

Watch a video clip from Bristol County District Attorney Paul Walsh on the dangers of bed sharing (Windows MediaPlayer required)

This page was updated on June 15, 2006