Indiana Department of Health reports spike in infant deaths, all linked to one thing

The Indiana Department of Health issued an urgent public health alert Monday following a concerning surge in infant deaths linked to unsafe sleep environments, during August.

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A dramatic increase in infant deaths related to unsafe sleep has Indiana's top health officials sounding the alarm. The Indiana Department of Health is reporting more than 10 infants deaths linked to unsafe sleep so far this month (August).

State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver released a video statement on the issue Monday saying, "I can't stress enough how important it is to place babies in a safe sleep environment."

Suffocation caused by unsafe sleep environments is the third leading cause of death for all Indiana infants. But 10 deaths, in the first three weeks of the month, is particularly alarming for public health officials who report the state typically sees two such cases a week over the course of a year.

Common unsafe sleep situations

Health officials identified several recurring dangerous scenarios in these tragic cases. Unsafe situations often involve co-sleeping with an adult (such as in a bed), blankets and pillows in the baby's crib, or the baby being placed on his or her stomach to sleep.

In Indiana between 2015-2019, 36% of unsafe sleep deaths occurred during naptime, according to data from the IDOH SUID report. This statistic emphasizes that it's essential to sleep in a safe place every time they sleep, whether for overnight sleep or brief daytime naps.

Weaver added, "these tragic deaths are preventable and can have a profound impact on communities."

Health officials recommend following the ABCs of safe sleep, a simple framework that can save lives:

• Alone - Babies should sleep alone in their own safe sleep space
• Back - Always place babies on their backs to sleep
• Crib - Use a safe crib, bassinet, or play yard with a firm mattress

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