It’s OK to give infants some space

Three babies, ages six months, four months and almost three months, have died in Baker County since May 21.

This is a terrible trio of tragedies.

There is no indication that any of the three deaths was anything but an accident.

There is, however, evidence that each of the three deaths could have been prevented.

Dr. James Davis, Baker County’s medical examiner, concluded that all three babies died as a result of “co-sleeping” — that is, they all died while sleeping beside an adult; in all three recent cases, the baby’s mother.

One of the hazards of co-sleeping, Davis said, is called “positional asphyxiation” — the baby can be pinned, by the weight of her parent, to a bed or sofa, and be unable to breathe.

Davis believes four other infants have died in Baker County due to co-sleeping during the past five years.

Davis’ diagnoses make the deaths seem even more tragic, if such a thing is possible.

It is in any case horrible to contemplate that a loving mother who lies down with her infant might unwittingly harm the child while both are asleep.

The deaths of the three newborns since late May has prompted the doctors who deliver most babies at St. Elizabeth Health Services to recommend parents not sleep with their infants.

This is sound advice.

We hope, though, that the advice doesn’t get lost in the torrent of information that swamps new parents, who naturally tend to feel overwhelmed by the responsibility of caring for their fragile treasure anyway.

We hope too that parents discuss with their doctors — in as much detail as they feel is necessary — the potential dangers that co-sleeping presents.

No one wants parents to feel guilty about cuddling with their precious infant, of course.

But neither should parents feel that they are neglectful if, as doctors recommend, they put their newborn to bed in a bassinet or crib that’s placed right next to the parents’ bed.

That might seem too far for a nervous new parent.

But for the baby’s sake, it’s close enough.