How to Prevent Accidental Suffocation in Kids

Suffocation is when a child cannot breathe or get enough oxygen because his or her airway is blocked. Accidental suffocation can happen if:

• A swallowed object gets stuck in a child’s airway (choking).
• Something covers a child’s nose and mouth and prevents breathing.
• Something wraps around the child’s neck and squeezes the airway shut (strangulation).

Accidental suffocation is most common in babies who are younger than 1 year old. It happens most often in the place where they sleep. Accidental suffocation can cause brain injury or death. This accident can be prevented.

What causes accidental suffocation?

Accidental suffocation in sleeping areas can be caused by:

• Certain sleeping positions, like when a baby who cannot yet roll over is placed on his or her stomach.
• Getting stuck between a mattress and the side of a crib or wall.
• Blocked breathing from soft bedding, crib bumpers, pillows, or stuffed animals.
• Blocked breathing from another sleeper (when sharing a bed).
• Getting stuck in a crib, especially cribs that have dropdown side rails or slats wide enough to trap a baby’s head or body.

Other causes of accidental suffocation include:

• Plastic bags over the face.
• Cords, string, or clothing that get wrapped around the neck.
• Food or objects that are swallowed and get stuck in the airway.
• Unsafe playground equipment or play spaces that can trap a child and prevent breathing.

What steps can I take to prevent accidental suffocation?

Create a safe sleeping environment

• Make sure your baby’s crib meets the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Do not use a crib that has dropdown rails or slats with spaces wider than a can of soda.
• Make sure your baby sleeps on a firm surface with a tightly fitted sheet.
• Place your baby on his or her back to sleep until age 1. Once your baby is able to roll over (from both back to front and front to back), you do not need to change your baby’s position after your baby falls asleep.
• Do not place any pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, or bumper pads in the crib. Dress your baby in a sleep sack for warmth.
• Do not let your baby share a bed with other children. If your baby falls asleep in your bed, return your baby to the crib. Keep the crib in your room for the first 6 months.
• Do not fall asleep with your baby in your bed or on the couch.
• If your baby falls asleep in a stroller, car seat, swing seat, or baby carrier, move your baby to the crib as soon as possible.

Supervise play

• Always watch your young child during play.
• Do not let your child play with:
  • Toys or objects that could be swallowed.
  • Toys or objects that have parts that can come off and be swallowed.
  • Balloons, plastic bags, or jewelry, especially necklaces.
• Do not let your child play in spaces small enough to get stuck or trapped inside.

General instructions

• Make sure there are no strings or cords hanging within your baby’s reach.
• Do not dress your baby in any clothing that has a drawstring.
• Never tie a pacifier around your child’s hand or neck.
• Do not wrap a scarf around a baby or young child’s neck.
• Make sure your child always sits up to eat. Cut food into small pieces that are easy to chew.
• Learn how to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on infants and young children. Your community or your local hospital may offer CPR classes for parents.
• Keep all your baby’s well-child visits. This is important.

Where can I get more information?

You can get more information about preventing suffocation from:

• American Academy of Pediatrics: healthychildren.org  
• American Heart Association: cpr.heart.org  
• KidsHealth: kidshealth.org/en/parents/safety-suffocation.html  
• AAP Safe Sleep Guidelines: healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/A-Parents-Guide-to-Safe-Sleep.aspx  

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your child has had any episode of choking, suffocation, or strangulation, even if the episode has passed.
• You think your child has swallowed something that may be stuck in the throat.
• Your child has unexplained coughing or choking while eating.

Get help right away if:

• Your child has trouble breathing for any reason.
• You had to perform CPR on your child.

These symptoms may represent a serious problem that is an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.).

Summary

• Accidental suffocation is when a child is unable to breathe because his or her airway is accidentally blocked.
• Suffocation includes choking and strangulation accidents.
• Most cases of accidental suffocation happen in or near a child’s sleeping area.
• Creating a safe place to sleep is the most important way to prevent accidental suffocation.
• You can also take steps to lower the risk of suffocation at home and in play areas.