How babies die sleeping

Here are details from a few cases, from 102 coroner's reports from Benton, Faulkner, Pulaski and Sebastian counties.

[DEAD ASLEEP: Babies at Risk » Full coverage + tips for safe sleep, interactive quiz, more]

Benton County, 2012 -- A mother placed 2-month-old boy on his side in an adult bed, and put a rolled-up sheet behind him. The baby's head and upper body were on a pillow, his body covered with a comforter, with the mother sleeping beside him. The next morning, the mother awoke to find him facedown, not breathing and cool to touch.

Faulkner County, 2013 -- A mother placed a 1-month-old girl on her back in a bassinet after feeding. Mother awoke to find baby facedown on stomach. Instead of a mattress in the bassinet, baby slept on a folded comforter, a baby blanket and a solid foam-filled pillow, described as "very soft and ... about five inches deep."

Pulaski County, 2013 -- A 7-week-old boy was placed on his back on a futon mattress on the floor. The mother turned on space heater, covered him with a blanket and comforter, and slept beside him. She removed the comforter when she discovered that he was sweating. She woke later to find him dead facedown on the mattress.

Faulkner County, 2014 -- Baby was placed on its back in a crib, covered with a comforter. Father found the 2-month-old boy on his side, unresponsive.

Pulaski County, 2014 -- A mother said she slept with her infant in an adult bed "because she had heard about 'crib death' if you put your child in a crib." The 2-month-old girl died while sleeping with the mother and mother's boyfriend.

-- Lisa Hammersly

SundayMonday on 01/30/2017

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