On the morning of March 6, at 8:01 a.m., her world fell apart. She got up to get her older child ready for school and discovered that her youngest baby had died. She still can’t believe it. She suffocated during sleep. She remembered how she tried to keep her safe. On the side of her bed, she placed several small teddy bears first, then a big one on top to stop her from rolling or falling out. She thought she was protecting her.
But that night, she slipped under the large teddy, and she never woke up. She went to sleep forever. Now, she lives with “what if” every moment. What if she had left the side of the bed empty? Maybe she would still be here. Maybe she’d have a small bump on her head, but alive. She knows she can never change what happened. But maybe her story can save another child’s life.
If you are a parent or caregiver, please don’t fill up your child’s bed (or crib) with soft toys, pillows, cushions, or blankets. You might think they will keep the baby safe and cozy. But soft things in a sleep area can be deadly. The experts agree. Government and health-safety organizations recommend only a firm mattress covered with a fitted sheet. No pillows. No plush toys. No soft bedding. Nothing else in the crib.
Soft bedding or toys can cover a baby’s face, blocking their nose and mouth. That can stop them from breathing. Some babies are unable to move away or push off the soft object. Some may roll over without strength or awareness to reposition themselves. Many infant deaths each year are linked to danger in unsafe sleep environments: soft bedding, pillows, stuffed animals, or loose blankets.
Experts strongly recommend placing babies on their backs on a firm, flat mattress in a safety-approved crib or bassinet with only a snugly-fitted sheet and nothing else. If you worry about your baby being cold, there are safer options, for example, a wearable baby sleeper or sleep sack that doesn’t pose the same risks as blankets. I wish I had known all that before I filled my baby’s bed with teddies. I was only trying to protect her. Instead, I caused her to lose her life.
Please, if you have a baby, double-check their sleeping area. Remove anything soft. Keep it empty. Let them sleep on a bare, firm mattress. That is the safest place. I miss you, my little angel. I will always love you. I will always carry your memory and try to spare other families the pain I live with now. If you are a parent, please check your baby’s sleep area today. Remove anything soft. Keep it simple, firm, and clear.
I lost my daughter, but maybe her story can save another child. Even the softest things can be dangerous; always put safety first. This story reminds us that safety is not about adding more, but about taking things away. A simple, empty sleep space can be the difference between life and loss. Always choose caution, even when your heart wants to give comfort.
This story reminds us that safety is not about adding more, but about taking things away. A simple, empty sleep space can be the difference between life and loss. Always choose caution, even when your heart wants to give comfort. Soft things look cute and harmless, but they can be deadly. Even the most innocent-looking teddy bear can take a life in minutes. She lost her angel that morning, but maybe her story can save yours. Even the softest things can be dangerous; always put safety first.
