Updated 05/06/2008 04:39 PM
“Babies Sleep Safest Alone” Campaign
NEW YORK STATE -- A new campaign is working to end infant and child deaths while sleeping with others.
A new report from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services says there have been 89 infant or small child deaths reported since 2006 and all of them were related to a child sleeping with a parent, sibling or caregiver.
Now, more than three dozen social services across the state have launched a joint campaign called "Babies Sleep Safest Alone" to stop what they call a preventable crisis. If an adult or child rolls over on a baby, that baby can be hurt or could suffocate. The organization says co-sleeping is risky, especially if a person drinks, uses drugs, is overweight or sleeps on a couch.
The best way to keep your baby close, according to the Office or Children and Family Services, is to put the baby's crib or bassinet near one's bed.