A 59-day-old Tasmanian infant who passed away while sleeping alongside his mother “would not have died if he had been in his own cot”, a Coroner has found.
The infant, identified only as FG, died on February 17th this year after his mother moved him to a single mattress with her when he “would not settle” in his cot.
In her recently published findings, Coroner Olivia McTaggart explained that the mother placed the infant on his back on the mattress next to her while she lay on her right side, facing the boy and the cot.
She said they remained in this position for around six and a half hours when, sometime between 7:00 am and 1:30pm, the mother “unintentionally rolled onto him, tragically causing his death”.
“She then noticed that FG was pressed against her back, he was pale and cold, and was bleeding from the nose. She believed that he was likely deceased,” McTaggart said.
An ambulance was called, but the infant could not be resuscitated and was pronounced deceased. Investigating police found no suspicious circumstances.
“I find upon the evidence that the cause of death was suffocation due to overlay by a sleeping adult,” Coroner Olivia McTaggart said.
“Over the years, coroners and health professionals have constantly emphasised the dangers of adults co-sleeping with infants.”
“This practice continues despite parents being aware of the risks. In this case, FG would not have died if he had been in his own cot.”
“I again emphasise the critical importance of putting infants to sleep in their own cot or safe sleep surface at all times in order to reduce the risk of sudden infant death.”
“I convey my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of FG.”
